The 2023-2024 academic year marked significant progress for the Common Law Section in advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada. First-year law students engaged in an immersive program that focused on Indigenous laws, traditions, and the role of Canadian law in colonization, aligning with the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 28, which encourages law schools to teach about Indigenous Peoples and the law.

The English Common Law Program featured seven modules based on the Seven Grandfather Teachings, with guest lecturers from Indigenous communities covering topics such as colonialism, Indigenous legal perspectives, and reconciliation. Similarly, the French Common Law Program offered parallel content, emphasizing colonial power structures and Indigenous resilience, including practical applications like a guided tour of Ottawa’s historical sites. Given the success of these 2023-2024 offerings, the program will expand into a mandatory course in 2025. Throughout the year, students were guided by Indigenous leaders, faculty, and legal professionals, fostering a deepened understanding and commitment to reconciliation in their future legal careers.

Demonstrating its dedication to Indigenous learning and collaboration, the Common Law Section at uOttawa organized recent and upcoming events such as a panel on the Supreme Court of Canada's Restoule decision, which examined treaty rights and the Crown's obligations. Dean Kristen Boon highlighted the importance of integrating Indigenous perspectives into the curriculum.

The 2024-2025 academic year opened with a ceremony led by Algonquin Anishinabe Knowledge Holder Gilbert Whiteduck, and orientation sessions featured teachings that encouraged students to view law as a tool for justice and reconciliation. First-year students are actively participating in courses on Indigenous laws, while Tasha Simon, a specialist in Indigenous Programs, hosted a Welcome Feast to foster community among Indigenous students.

The Aboriginal Law and Indigenous Legal Traditions Option will appeal not only to students interested in Aboriginal law, but to those who wish to understand Indigenous legal traditions and how they can be recognized alongside common law and civil law within Canada’s legally plural society. 

If you are interested, please visit the Option in Aboriginal Law and Indigenous Legal Traditions.

More opportunities for upper years:

• Every year the uOttawa Faculty of law takes part in the Kawaskimhon Indigenous Moot. Kawaskimhon a word of Cree origin roughly translated to “speaking with knowledge” – is a consensus-based, non-adversarial moot that incorporates Indigenous legal traditions alongside federal, provincial and international law. There are no winners or losers. Instead, mooters participate in roundtable negotiations on a particular topic in Indigenous law, representing their assigned party.
   
• Debwewin Summer Law Program. An intensive summer education program in which students are placed in Indigenous communities across the province – from Moose Cree to Akwesasne and many places in between – each summer, to work on justice issues in and with Indigenous communities.
   
• Internships with Senators and legal practitioners who are active advocates for Indigenous issues.

• Sage Advice Speaker Series
• Red Talks Indigenous Women's Speaker Series
• Community Reading Circle
• Beading Circle and workshops