Students and leaders gather in the University of VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 First Peoples House on Sept. 25 for the historic launch of a unique Indigenous law program B次元官网网址� the worldB次元官网网址檚 first to combine the study of Indigenous and non-Indigenous law to address the acute need for new legal expertise at a critical time in CanadaB次元官网网址檚 history.

Historic launch of UVicB次元官网网址檚 Indigenous law program - the worldB次元官网网址檚 first to combine the study of Indigenous and non-Indigenous law.

B次元官网网址� Oak Bay B次元官网网址 (@OakBayB次元官网网址)

B次元官网网址淭his is a world-class, first-of-its-kind Indigenous law program. You are trailblazers,B次元官网网址� said Honourable Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills & Training, to the 26 students in the first cohort of the Indigenous law program. B次元官网网址淭his is an emotional day. Today is about affirming our place as Indigenous people in Canada, and around the world.B次元官网网址�

Two leading Indigenous legal experts teaching at UVic B次元官网网址� John Borrows, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Law, and Val Napoleon, Law Foundation Chair in Aboriginal Justice and Governance B次元官网网址� conceived the joint program. The students will graduate with two professional degrees, one in Canadian Common Law (JD) and one in Indigenous Legal Orders.

B次元官网网址淭his unprecedented program will have a transformational impact on communities in Canada and around the world,B次元官网网址� said UVic President Jamie Cassels.

Graduates will benefit areas such as environmental protection, Indigenous governance, economic development, housing, child protection and educationB次元官网网址� areas where experts have previously identified an acute lack of legal expertise to create institutions grounded in Indigenous peoplesB次元官网网址� law and build partnerships across both legal systems.

B次元官网网址淚 am very proud to call the Metis Nation of Albert my home and it is a major factor behind why I am here today,B次元官网网址� said student Colby Lizotte of her motivation to join the program. B次元官网网址淟ike many Indigenous communities, we were, and continue to be, hit hard by colonization. We are not voiceless and we do not need to be spoken for. What we do need is to be heard.B次元官网网址�

RELATED:

B次元官网网址淭his work is personal and itB次元官网网址檚 inter-generational. From the past to the present to the future, we need this work to continue,B次元官网网址� said Borrows.

The four year degree program includes classroom elements, field school, community connections, and consultation with Elders.

B次元官网网址淩econciliation means nothing without action. Congratulations to the University of Victoria for putting reconciliation on the map,B次元官网网址� said Mark.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been talking and dreaming about this day for so long that it almost doesnB次元官网网址檛 feel real, but here we are,B次元官网网址� said Napoleon.

- with files from Wolf Depner