Law and Aboriginal Peoples At Western

Commitment to Aboriginal Students: Western Law is committed to offering aboriginal students outstanding legal training in a friendly environment that is sensitive to their needs. Aboriginal people have traditionally been under-represented among lawyers practising in Canada. Although this trend has been changing over the last decade, the need for qualified aboriginal lawyers is greater than ever before. Demands for a just resolution of land claims and treaty rights, and for fundamental changes to the structure of aboriginal governments and economies require skilled and sensitive legal advice for aboriginal communities and governments alike. Equally, aboriginal law students may wish to bring their legal skills and unique perspectives to the broader community. Either way, Western Law will offer the preparation you need.

Our Aboriginal Graduates: Western has a tradition of being a ground-breaker when it comes to Aboriginal students. The first native to be called to the Bar in Ontario, Norman Lickers, graduated from Western. Roberta Jamieson, the first aboriginal woman to become a lawyer in Canada, also attended Western Law. (Roberta went on to become Ombudsman of Ontario and Chief of the Six Nations of Grand River). Today our aboriginal graduates work in a variety of fields, from private practice, to advising Indian bands, to working at high levels in government.

Support for Aboriginal Students

Admissions: Reflecting our commitment to ensuring equitable access to legal education, Western Law offers a special admissions category for aboriginal applicants. Aboriginal applicants may be admitted either unconditionally or subject to the successful completion of the Native Law Program at the University of Saskatchewan. Students who complete this pre-law program are given credit for first year Property Law, meaning they have one fewer course to complete in their first year.

Financial Assistance: Western Law offers a range of financial assistance to students in financial need. In addition, the Faculty awards a First Nations Entrance Scholarship each year to an aboriginal student entering the first year program.

The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and Bands will normally provide funding for students who have Indian status and who qualify for funding under the Department or Band's policies. Also, there are a number of bursaries available from the Department of Justice for Métis and non-status Indians. These scholarships will cover tuition costs, books and a portion of general living expenses.

For more information contact:

Legal Studies for Aboriginal People
Bursary Program
Phone: 1-888-606-5111
Internet: http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/pb-dgp/prog/lsap-aeda.html

Academic Support: To ease your transition to legal studies, aboriginal students at Western Law can take advantage of a free tutoring program. Under this program upper year students under the supervision of a professor assist individuals who request it in their course work. Two professors also serve as Student Academic Support Advisors to address any special academic concerns.

Cultural Life: In addition to the wide variety of social and cultural activities organized by students at Western Law, the Indigenous Services Office on Western's main campus will keep you abreast of the thriving aboriginal life at Western, in London, and in the eight First Nation communities located within 60 miles of London.

Course Offerings
General: Western Law takes pride in ensuring that all of its students receive the broad education required to become effective and successful lawyers. With that in mind, all students take a wide range of courses in public and private law. Courses in Business Law, for which Western is particularly well known, Negotiation and Mediation, International Human Rights, Law and Social Welfare, and Tax Law may be of particular interest to Aboriginal students.

Studies in Aboriginal Law: All students study aboriginal issues as a core unit in the first year Constitutional Law course. In their senior years, students can further their understanding of aboriginal issues in the following courses:

  • Aboriginal Law (Law 5325) - advanced study of aboriginal and treaty rights in Canadian law and the evolving legal relationship between the Crown and aboriginal peoples in Canada.
  • Selected Topics - Contemporary Issues in Aboriginal Rights - a course that focuses on key issues relating to aboriginal rights, including aboriginal self-government, aboriginal rights litigation and aboriginal rights in International Law.
  • Kawaskhimon Talking Circle (Law 5712) - Western Law students research and make submissions on an aboriginal legal issue of national importance at a Talking Circle composed of law students from across Canada.
  • Individual Research (Law 5797) - an opportunity to complete a major piece of research and writing under faculty supervision on an issue of interest to the student.

Western Law: A national law school with an international outlook.