Indigenous Students Admissions Process
The Faculty of Law recognizes the underrepresentation of Indigenous peoples within the legal profession and the importance of equitably developing a legal profession that represents the diversity of the population.
The Indigenous Admission Process provides an opportunity for those who self-identify as Indigenous to be considered for admission to the Faculty, which is situated on Treaty 7 territory and includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6).
Applying for Indigenous Student Admission
In the online application, all applicants are asked to indicate if they self-identify as Indigenous. Applicants who choose to self-identify as Indigenous in their application may complete an optional personal essay that speaks to their lived experience as an Indigenous person in Canada, including connections to their Indigenous community, history, and heritage.
This is a space where you may choose to share information related to your Indigenous identity (maximum 450 words). Applicants are invited to outline things such as:
- Connection to their Indigenous culture including their active participation with community (or loss of it and why);
- Connection to Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, connecting, and being;
- Impacts of colonialism;
- Elements of resilience, rediscovery, or reclaiming of their Indigeneity;
- How their Indigeneity has contributed to their interest in legal studies.
All applications, including if you self-identify as Indigenous, are first reviewed through our ordinary assessment process, using our regular criteria and judged to the same competitive standard. The optional personal essay will not be given a specific weight but will be considered as part of our comprehensive holistic admissions process. See more about JD admissions. You may receive an offer or waitlist notification based on that assessment.
If you are not admitted through the ordinary admission process, the Indigenous Student Admissions Committee will review prospective Indigenous student applications. The Committee has historically included members of the law faculty who are Indigenous or have expertise in Indigenous law, Indigenous legal professionals, community members, and Elders.
Our most recent Indigenous Student Admissions Committee reviewing applications for Fall 2023 admittance was made up entirely of Indigenous people, including Indigenous members of the Faculty, Indigenous alumni of the Faculty, and Indigenous legal professionals.
Supporting Documentation
To be considered through the Indigenous Admissions Process, you must submit documentation to verify your Indigenous identity by February 15 to law@ucalgary.ca.
UCalgary recognizes the following documentation for verifying Indigenous identity:
- Certificate of Indian Status (Status Card), issued by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). Older Status cards may still be used, but if the “valid to” date has passed, students are encouraged to order a new card.
- Letter from a government-registered First Nations community verifying the student is a member of that First Nation.
- Letter of support from a First Nations organization that is a legal entity, who can attest to a student's Indigenous Identity.
- Band Members who do not have Status can provide a letter from their Band or First Nation on appropriate letterhead and signed by a Band Administrator.
- Non-status individuals with a Status parent or grandparent, may provide a long-form birth certificate with supporting documents of Indigenous identity from a parent or grandparent.
- Letter from a recognized First Nations community similar to that provided for a person who has Status.
- Métis card issued by a member Nation of Métis National Council of Canada, including Métis Nation British Columbia, the Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Nation of Ontario and the Northwest Territory Métis Nation.
- Letter or membership card from one of the member Nations of the Métis Settlements General Council including Buffalo Lake, East Prairie, Elizabeth Lake, Fishing Lake, Gift Lake, Kikino, Paddle Prairie and Peavine.
- Letter of support from a Métis organization that is a legal entity, who can attest to a student's Indigenous Identity.
- Inuit Beneficiary cards issued through Nunavut Trust.
- Letter from a government organization such as Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Nunavut Tunngavik, Makivik Corporation or Nunatsiavut in Labrador.
- Letter of support from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) or Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
- Inuit beneficiary card.
- Letter from the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) and/or one of its affiliated provincial organizations.
- Letter of support from a Inuit organization that is a legal entity, who can attest to a student's Indigenous Identity.
Indigenous Summer LSAT Prep Program
We offer a free LSAT® Preparation Program, a pathway program funded by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), for Indigenous students who are low-income or high-potential in their last two years of studies, or have previously completed their undergraduate degrees. The program, which runs from May to August, will prepare Indigenous students to write a Fall LSAT and apply to law schools in the upcoming admissions cycle.
As a provider of legal education, the Faculty of Law has a responsibility to create meaningful pathways for Indigenous individuals to apply to law school. As the LSAT is a requirement for many complete applications, our goal is to provide skill-based education and cultural programming so that Indigenous candidates can complete the LSAT, while retaining and embracing their identity in their applications and education.
The University of Saskatchewan College of Law
The University of Saskatchewan College of Law offers 50 Indigenous students admitted to Canadian law schools the opportunity to receive credit for Property Law and a course on Aboriginal people and the law prior to their first year. This program runs from May to July. The courses will be offered remotely with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous delivery. In addition to providing students with substantive legal content, there is an emphasis on assisting students with developing the skills essential for success in law school. Indigenous students who successfully complete this program will receive credit in their first year for Property, and credit in their second or third year for Aboriginal people and the law at the University of Calgary.
The Wahkohtowin Law & Governance Lodge
The Wahkohtowin Law & Governance Lodge at the University of Alberta is offering their Wahkohtowin Launchpad into Law Summer Workshop. This program runs from May to June. Although this program is not for course credit, it will include rigorous academic training and an introduction to legal skills such as case briefing, analysis and synthesis, effective strategies for answer law exam questions, and more. This unique workshop series provides Indigenous students the opportunity to first learn practical core legal skills through structure engagement with Indigenous laws.
Funding for Indigenous Students
A variety of scholarships and awards are available from UCalgary for Indigenous law students:
- You are eligible for the Faculty of Law Undergraduate Award of Excellence for BIPOC students.
- You are eligible for all UCalgary Law awards, scholarships and bursaries.
- The Peter Freeman, QC Bursary for Aboriginal Students in Law is given specifically to Indigenous students who meet the criteria.
- The Inter Pipeline Award for Indigenous Law Students, offered annually to an Indigenous student entering the JD program, based on academic merit.
- The Hersh E. Wolch, QC Memorial Scholarship for Indigenous Law Students (renewable), offered to an Indigenous student entering the JD program.
- The Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP Award for BIPOC law students is awarded annually to a BIPOC student entering the JD program.
- Writing Symbols Lodge can provide information about post-secondary sponsorship and other sources of financial support.
- Review other externally-offered Indigenous Student Awards.
Additional external funding sources:
- Indigenous Bar Association Scholarship Foundation
- Band Funding
- Rupertsland Institute
- Indspire
- Belcourt Brosseau Métis Award
- First Peoples Law Indigenous Law Student Scholarship
- MLT Aikins Indigenous Scholarship for 2L students
- The Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP Diversity Scholarship Program
Indigenous Student Life
Indigenous Law Students Association
UCalgary Law's Indigenous Law Students Association hosts events throughout the school year to encourage awareness and discussion of Indigenous Law issues. The club also provides resources and support for Indigenous students who are interested in attending law school.
For more information, contact ilsa.ucalgary@gmail.com.
Student Ambassadors
We have several members of our Student Ambassadors who are Indigenous. If you are interested in talking to one of them about life as a law student and about UCalgary Law, contact law.ambassadors@ucalgary.ca.
Kawaskimhon National Aboriginal Moot
In Cree, "Kawaskimhon" means speaking with knowledge about what is right. Each year a team of UCalgary Law students participate in this national, non-adversarial moot designed to incorporate Indigenous values and concepts of dispute resolution.
Courses at UCalgary Law
Our professors and researchers offer a number of unique courses in Indigenous Law and Indigenous Culture, including:
Indigenous Law Research
Our faculty members are researching in areas that include Aboriginal law, Indigenous law, and the intersection between laws affecting Indigenous peoples and environmental issues.
Writing Symbols Lodge
Writing Symbols Lodge is a great place to go for additional resources about attending the University of Calgary, funding, cultural, and academic support. Writing Symbols Lodge also organizes numerous community-based programs and cultural events that engage the campus and greater community. The Writing Symbols Lodge also has a ceremonial room with medicines available for students to access throughout the year.
Our Stories
In the News CBC
Blazing the trail: Indigenous legal firsts in Canadian history
Indigenous artwork important step in law school's reconciliation journey
'Balance' represents a journey through justice, the importance of fairness, and genuine respect for humanity
New law course helps future lawyers better understand Indigenous treaties
Students learn first-hand from Yukon First Nations leaders