Indigenous Initiatives at UCalgary Law

In 2017, we convened our first standing committee on Indigenous strategy. Now the Indigenous Strategy and Student Support Committee, our mandate includes not only developing responses to National Calls to Action and the University of Calgary’s Indigenous Strategy (ii' taa' poh' to' p), but implementing a comprehensive Indigenous strategy at the Faculty level to prepare future members of the Canadian legal profession to serve the needs of Indigenous communities and peoples across Canada, and foster deep meaningful reconciliatory action in their practices and communities. Supporting our current Indigenous law students and recruiting future Indigenous law students is a top priority of our work.

We strive to ensure that non-Indigenous students are well positioned to start their legal careers being able to view the law with an understanding of the history and complex relationships between Indigenous peoples and the Canadian justice system, while ensuring Indigenous students are empowered and well-supported in following their passions.

We have been intentional in our initiatives in incorporating parallel processes, Indigenizing curriculum, increasing intercultural capacity, and enhancing meaningful, respectful, and reciprocal relationships.

Some of our work through the years include:

• Visiting Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park – the site of the signing of Treaty 7 – for a day of Treaty education in the Foundations of Law and Justice course;
• Incorporating the Law Society of Alberta’s Indigenous Cultural Competency Education “The Path” and the Canadian Bar Association’s “The Path” programming into the Foundations of Law and Justice course;
• Incorporating the blanket exercise into the Negotiations block course;
• Integrating Indigenous and Critical Race perspectives, and anti-racism training;
• Since Fall 2023, we have partnered with the Alberta Court of Justice to grow and encourage participation in the Indigenous Judicial Shadowing Program.
• In Spring 2024, we offered our first Indigenous LSAT® Preparation Program in partnership with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). We continued this important initiative in 2025 and increased student capacity twofold;
• In Fall 2024, we added an option for students to earn a Concentration in Aboriginal and Indigenous Law  as part of their JD studies. We are proud to be the first and only law school in the Prairies to offer this Concentration to all students to focus their studies on these legal perspectives. Our first Concentration Graduating class convocated in Spring 2025;
• In Fall 2025, we partnered with the Alberta Courts, the Law Society of Alberta, and Siksika Nation to host an Indigenous Law Day at the Calgary Courts Centre.
• In Spring 2025, we hired our first full-time Indigenous Assistant Professor and full-time Indigenous Specialist, Indigenous Education & Reconciliation.

In addition to incorporating meaningful Indigenous content throughout our curriculum, we have expanded our second and third-year program offerings, including topics such as:

• Indigenous Peoples and the Law
• Indigenous Legal Theory
• Residential Schools Settlement Agreement
• Selected Topics in Indigenous Peoples and the Law
• Legal Practice: Indigenous Business Law
• Reconciliation & Lawyers
• Negotiating Indigenous Rights
• Law of Modern Treaties
• Indigenous Economic Development
• Restorative Justice
• MMIWG

Our committee works closely with the student-lead Indigenous Law Student’s Association to support students and provide opportunities to engage with legal issues, Indigenous legal academics, Indigenous practitioners, and Indigenous Knowledge keepers and Elders. This includes guest lectures, funding for conference activities, and support for student-led initiatives.

We hope to contribute to a more diverse and inclusive legal profession by ensuring Indigenous students interested in attending law school have the support they need throughout their time at UCalgary Law, and that they will be able to thrive in their legal careers. 

Are you a prospective Indigenous applicant? Learn more about the Faculty's Indigenous Students Admission Process.