The Government of Canada is showing support for projects to build and implement Indigenous laws and law-making institutions.
The initiative support aligns with the Government of Canada’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Call to Action 50.
The project involves the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI) and Lakehead University’s Bora Laskin Faculty of Law.
“The Bora Laskin Faculty of Law is excited to expand its reconciliation initiatives, and we are grateful to Indigenous communities and organizations and the federal Department of Justice for their leadership and support,” says Dean Julie Hughes. “Maamawi Bimosewag – They Walk Together will establish an Indigenous Law and Justice Institute, allowing the Faculty to expand its land-based learning, engage in curricular innovation for reconciliation, decolonization and Indigenization, and most importantly work with Indigenous partners to restore and revitalize Indigenous laws in our region and throughout Canada.”
Federal Minister of Health and local Thunder Bay MP Patty Hajdu voices her support for the projects.
“Responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Actions remains a key commitment for our government” Hajdu added. “I am proud to highlight funding to the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians and the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law for their projects to help advance the important work to implement CTA 50 and revitalize Indigenous legal traditions.”
Call to Action 50 asks the federal government to work with Indigenous organizations to fund Indigenous law institutes.
The goal is to help understand Indigenous laws and their access to justice.
The project includes three elements:
- Growing relationships and partnering with regional First Nations communities, tribal councils and the Métis Nation of Ontario for the revitalization of Anishinaabe and Métis Law
- Land-based and partnered learning opportunities for community members and law students, and continuing legal education opportunities for the regional practicing bar and the judiciary
- Research to support the project’s revitalization and curriculum development initiatives.
