486 Jurisprudence (Friedland)

LAW486

Jurisprudence: Indigenous Law Foundations

(Friedland)

Prerequisite courses: Either LAW590 or equivalent OR previous education in Indigenous studies OR 

Life experience highly recommended

Prerequisite for: 

Instructor(s): Professor Hadley Friedland

Method of presentation: Seminar

Teamwork: Yes

METHOD OF EVALUATION

Professionalism in Intersocietal Contexts (in-class activities) - 20%

In-class Moot- 20%

Take home Exam - 60%

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The TRC final report calls for greater recognition and use of Indigenous laws in Canada. Many Indigenous communities, justice system professionals and legal scholars are increasingly interested in accessing, understanding and applying Indigenous legal traditions today. Yet how to do this raises practical and critical questions. This highly interactive intensive seminar explores some of the current challenges related to this timely subject. Students will identify and critically examine legal theories about the nature and sources of law and reflect on the work of justice and reconciliation in inter-societal contexts. They will have opportunities to practice and evaluate various methods for engaging with Indigenous legal traditions respectfully and robustly, and examine the major questions that arise from engagement in various settings. Students will also actively engage with specific Indigenous (primarily Cree) laws, in a respectful and supportive environment.  

SPECIAL COMMENTS

Description updated 2019-20. Please contact the instructor for any specific questions you may have related to this particular course section.

REQUIRED TEXTS (IF ANY)

Louis Bird, The Spirit Lives in the Mind: Omushkego Stories, Lives, and Dreams (Montreal: McGill-Queens, 2007).  

John Borrows, Canada’s Indigenous Constitution (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2010).

Patty Laboucane-Bensen, The Outside Circle (Toronto: House Of Anansi Press Inc., 2015).