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 Admissions Process provides an opportunity for those who self-identify as Indigenous to provide additional information for their consideration of admission to the Faculty of Law, situated on the traditional territories of the People of the Treaty 7 Region in Southern Alberta, which 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 University is also situated on the historic Métis homeland and territories of the Métis Nation within Alberta, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government (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, culture, and heritage.
Please do not feel compelled to share elements of personal or family trauma that you have not yet fully processed or information that through the act of sharing would feel harmful to your wellbeing. The success of an application is not dependent on demonstrating trauma related to Indigenous identity or otherwise. Supports are available and some can be found on our website at Academic Success and Personal Wellness.
Examples of what previous applicants have shared in their submissions include the following:
- Connection to Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, connecting, and being;
- How your Indigeneity has contributed to your interest in legal studies;
- Connection to your Indigenous Culture including active participation with community, ceremony, traditions, and language;
- Elements of resilience, rediscovery, or reclaiming of your Indigeneity.
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. You may receive an offer or waitlist notification based on that assessment.
Applicants who are not admitted through the ordinary admission process will receive a subsequent review by the Indigenous Student Admissions Sub-Committee. The Sub-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.
As part of our commitment to reconciliation and empowering Indigenous voices, since 2021, membership of the Indigenous Students Admissions Sub-Committee has exclusively been Indigenous people.
Supporting Documentation
For your application to be considered through the Indigenous Students Admission Process, you must submit documentation to verify your Indigenous citizenship and/or membership by February 15 by email to law@ucalgary.ca. Please refer to the University’s Supporting Documents for information on documentation.
Awards for Indigenous Law Students
A variety of scholarships and awards are available from UCalgary for Indigenous law students. We encourage all students who have received an offer or on the waitlist to apply for scholarships and bursaries.
Please note that there is additional funding available for JD students, including emergency assistance and conference funding that is not included in the list below.
Faculty of Law Undergraduate Award of Excellence for Indigenous and Black Students
- Valued at $10,000
- Based on academic merit
- Offered to one (1) Indigenous or Black student entering their first year of the JD program
- Online application through your Student Centre is required
Inter Pipeline Award for Indigenous Law Students
- Valued at $10,000
- Based on academic merit
- Offered each year to one (1) Indigenous student entering their first year of the JD program
- Online application through your Student Centre is required
Hersh E. Wolch, QC Memorial Scholarship for Indigenous Law Students
- Valued at up to $45,000 ($15,000 in each year of the JD program)
- Based on academic merit
- Offered to one (1) Indigenous student entering their first year of the JD program (offered once every four years)
- Renewable in second and third years based on a minimum GPA of 2.60 and minimum of 24 units in the previous fall and winter terms
- Includes mentorship
- Online application through your Student Centre is required
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP Award for Indigenous law students
- Valued at $5,000
- Based on academic merit
- Offered each year to one (1) Indigenous student entering their first year of the JD program
- Includes optional summer work internship
- Online application through your Student Centre is required
Indigenous Entrance Award in Law
- Valued at up to $30,000 ($10,000 in each year of the JD program)
- Based on financial need
- Offered to one (1) Indigenous student entering their first year of the JD program
- Renewable in second and third years based on a minimum GPA of 2.60 and minimum of 24 units in the previous fall and winter terms
- Online application through your Student Centre is required
Peter Freeman, QC Bursary for Aboriginal Students in Law
- Valued at up to $4300
- Based on academic merit and financial need
- Offered each year to one (1) Indigenous student entering their second or third year of the JD program
- Online application through your Student Centre is required
Additional external funding sources:
- Indigenous Bar Association Scholarship Foundation
- Band Funding
- Rupertsland Institute
- Indspire
- Belcourt Brosseau Métis Awards
- First Peoples Law Indigenous Law Student Scholarship
- MLT Aikins Indigenous Scholarship for 2L students
- Charles Vincent Indigenous Law Student Scholarship (Pape Salter Teillet LLP)
- Bennett Jones Future Leaders in Law Scholarship Program
- Aboriginal Futures post-secondary funding
The Writing Symbols Lodge can provide information about post-secondary sponsorship and other sources of financial support.
Indigenous Student Life
Indigenous Student Support
UCalgary Law’s Specialist, Indigenous Education & Reconciliation, will help ensure you receive appropriate equitable support through the admissions process, your time as a law student, and in starting your legal career. They also ensure we continue to strengthen our relationship with Indigenous communities and individuals and meaningfully pursue reconciliatory change within the Faculty, in partnership with the Faculty’s Indigenous Student and Support Committee.
For more information, please contact adshowal@ucalgary.ca
Indigenous Law Student’s Association (ILSA)
ILSA hosts events throughout the school year to encourage awareness and discussion of Indigenous Law issues, while providing community, resources, and support for current and prospective Indigenous students.
Email: ilsa.ucalgary@gmail.com
Instagram: ilsa.ucalgary
Mentorship Opportunities
UCalgary Law is proud to partner with the Alberta Court of Justice to encourage students to participate in the Indigenous Judicial Shadowing Program, the Law Society of Alberta’s Mentorship Program and Summer Student Program, the Canadian Bar Association Law Student Mentor Program, and more!
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.
Indigenous Summer LSAT Prep Program
We offer a free LSAT® Preparation Program 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.
USask Law Spring and Summer Law Course for Indigenous Students
The University of Saskatchewan College of Law offers 50 Indigenous students admitted to Canadian law schools the opportunity to receive credit for Property Law prior to their first year. This program runs from May to July and is 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. Admitted Indigenous students who successfully complete this program will receive credit in their first year for Property Law.
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