New Indigenous law wing supports learning Indigenous legal traditions (flickr.com)

Media Contacts

Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills

Media Relations
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Backgrounders

What people are saying about the Indigenous law wing

Niki Sharma, Attorney General –

“The opening of the University of Victoria’s Indigenous law wing is a powerful step toward building a justice system that reflects the laws, traditions and values of Indigenous Peoples. It supports the next generation of legal professionals to work across legal systems with respect, understanding, and a commitment to reconciliation. This initiative complements the Ministry of Attorney General’s work to expand Indigenous-led justice services throughout B.C. Together, these efforts are supporting meaningful change across our justice system to be more inclusive, culturally grounded, and responsive to the needs of Indigenous communities.”

Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation –

“I’m proud of UVic, and the B.C. government’s commitment to reconciliation. Making investments in facilities like this that support our ongoing journey of reconciliation will help to build togetherness, prosperity and a stronger province for everyone. B.C. will be better because of the work that happens here. Congratulations to all who helped make this dream a reality.”

Diana Gibson, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head –

“Advancing reconciliation has never been more critical. I’m proud to be part of a government that is collaborating with First Nations and the University of Victoria to deliver the world’s first joint-degree program in Indigenous and Canadian law. This is a powerful moment in time.”

Val Napoleon, law foundation chair of Indigenous justice and governance, University of Victoria –

“This physical structure is a space where our laws, which enable us to be peoples, may be explored, taught and argued by Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners. Students are receiving a legal education like no other – they are critically engaging with, practising and theorizing about our laws, and in doing so, they are continuing to build the foundation for a multi-jurisdictional Canada.”

Ashley Wehrhahn, recent JD/JID graduate –

“The new Indigenous law wing inspires a deep sense of gratitude and pride for students as it provides a beautiful learning environment that is steeped in the stories, ceremony and laws of the communities Xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt Nation), Songhees Nation, and W̱SÁNEĆ. The Indigenous law wing is a source of inspiration for me as it emphasizes that Indigenous law is a priority and reciprocal obligation by UVic law and stands to address and go beyond TRC Call to Action 28.”

Freya Kodar, dean of law, University of Victoria –

“With this building, together we advance the priorities set out 10 years ago in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, particularly Call to Action 50: to establish Indigenous law institutes. This space is going to change the ways that we think about legal education and Indigenous law in the faculty, across the country and beyond.”