Certificate in Indigenous Law
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-08-01 | - |
| 2026-08-01 | - |
| 2027-08-01 | - |
Program Overview
Introduction to the Certificate in Indigenous Law Program
The Certificate in Indigenous Law is a one-year program offered by the University of Ottawa, designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Indigenous law and its relationship with Canadian law. The program is offered in French and is open to Indigenous students who possess a DEC or equivalent experience.
Program Description
The Certificate in Indigenous Law program is a 30-credit program that can be completed in one year on a full-time basis or on a part-time basis. The program is designed to provide students with a comparative study of Indigenous legal orders and Canadian law, with a focus on key areas of law such as constitutional law, family law, and property law.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for the program, students must submit an application, including a letter of motivation, proof of Indigenous identity, and official transcripts. Students must also demonstrate proficiency in French.
Program Structure
The program consists of several courses, including:
- DCC 1510: Introduction to Indigenous Law and Canadian Law
- DCC 1511: Indigenous Legal Orders and Constitutional Law
- DCC 1512: Indigenous Legal Orders and Family Law
- DCC 1513: Indigenous Legal Orders and Property Law
- DCC 1703: Indigenous Legal Orders and Criminal Law
- DCC 1704: Indigenous Legal Orders and International Law
- DCC 1705: Leadership and Conflict Resolution in Indigenous Communities
- DCC 1706: Directed Reading
Course Descriptions
DCC 1510: Introduction to Indigenous Law and Canadian Law
This course provides an introduction to the philosophy of Indigenous law and the Canadian legal system.
DCC 1511: Indigenous Legal Orders and Constitutional Law
This course explores the foundations and sources of Indigenous legal orders and Canadian constitutional law.
DCC 1512: Indigenous Legal Orders and Family Law
This course examines Indigenous legal orders and Canadian family law, including topics such as child custody and adoption.
DCC 1513: Indigenous Legal Orders and Property Law
This course studies the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the land, as well as Canadian property law.
DCC 1703: Indigenous Legal Orders and Criminal Law
This course explores the treatment of conflicts and justice in Indigenous legal orders and Canadian criminal law.
DCC 1704: Indigenous Legal Orders and International Law
This course introduces students to the history, foundations, and institutions of international law, with a focus on Indigenous peoples.
DCC 1705: Leadership and Conflict Resolution in Indigenous Communities
This course examines leadership and governance in Indigenous communities, including traditional systems of governance and conflict resolution.
DCC 1706: Directed Reading
This course allows students to pursue in-depth research on a topic of their choice, under the supervision of a faculty member.
Research Areas
The program focuses on several research areas, including:
- Comparative study of Indigenous legal orders and Canadian law
- Indigenous legal orders and constitutional law
- Indigenous legal orders and family law
- Indigenous legal orders and property law
- Indigenous legal orders and criminal law
- Indigenous legal orders and international law
Tuition Fees
The tuition fees for the program are $4,923 per term, plus additional fees.
Language of Instruction
The language of instruction for the program is French.
Duration
The program is one year in duration, with the option to complete it on a part-time basis.
Conclusion
The Certificate in Indigenous Law program at the University of Ottawa provides students with a comprehensive understanding of Indigenous law and its relationship with Canadian law. The program is designed to provide students with a comparative study of Indigenous legal orders and Canadian law, with a focus on key areas of law. The program is open to Indigenous students who possess a DEC or equivalent experience, and is offered in French.
