UVic proposes “globally unique” degree in Canadian, Indigenous law

The University of Victoria has proposed a joint degree in Canadian common law and Indigenous law that it says will be the first of its kind in Canada and globally unique, reports the Globe and Mail. The proposal for the program has reportedly been in the works for a decade and has been inspired in part by McGill University’s joint degree in civil and common law. UVic’s proposed program will expose students to the same subjects as a conventional law degree would, but instead of looking only at the Canadian legal system, students will study principles in the laws of First Nations based in both Canada and the US. The program aims to create graduates who will be able to use Indigenous law—along with federal and provincial laws—to develop policies related to issues such as child welfare and resource development. Globe and Mail