University of Toronto Indigenous Initiatives

The University of Toronto’s office of Indigenous Initiatives has worked on bettering the university’s relationship with Indigenous students. A few examples of their initiatives are the following:

The university took on the responsibility to increase the Indigenous spaces available on campus. This included space in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and just outside of the Indigenous Law Students’ Association office. These spaces include Indigenous artwork and other postings promoting Indigenous language, health, etc.

University of Toronto Faculty of Law- Juris Doctor Degree with a Certificate in Aboriginal Legal Studies

The University of Toronto Faculty of Law has a concurrent option consisting of a Juris Doctorate Degree and a certificate in Aboriginal Legal Studies. The certificate in Aboriginal Legal Studies is for students who “have a vocational or intellectual interest in the intersection between law and the history, politics, thought or practices of Aboriginal Law.”

University of Toronto Indigenous Law Journal

The University of Toronto Indigenous Law Journal exists as a part of the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto. The Indigenous Law Journal is a “student-run legal journal that is dedicated to developing dialogue and scholarship in the field of Indigenous legal issues.” All perspectives including both Canadian and international are welcome for submission. A mix of Indigenous and non- Indigenous students make up the thirteen-member journal staff, which includes a Faculty Advisor from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law.

Osgoode Law School: Intensive Program in Aboriginal Lands, Resources and Governments

According to Osgoode Hall’s website, the Intensive Program in Aboriginal Lands, Resources and Governments “began in 1993, after a group of Osgoode students was profoundly affected by the Oka crisis and challenged the Law School to do something” to support Aboriginal people. Osgoode then created a unique  program “to explore the legal issues relating to indigenous people and indigenous rights.”