Program Directors
Robert H. Brent
Senior Counsel, Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation (Ontario)
Alexandria Winterburn
Partner, Aird & Berlis LLP
Eligible for
It’s HERE: The essential knowledge and guidance for anyone working in the consultation arena.
As Indigenous and Canadian governments, communities and private industries navigate old and new challenges in consultation, it has never been more critical to have a deep understanding of how to engage thoughtfully and effectively with these complex issues.
Building upon Osgoode’s very successful Certificate in Fundamentals of Indigenous Peoples and Canadian Law, this new certificate is a deep dive into the legal and practical framework for consultation and accommodation with Indigenous peoples. A truly outstanding faculty of experts from across Canada – sharing insights and experiences from Indigenous, government and industry perspectives – will provide the foundational knowledge and practical strategies which will enhance your and your community or organization’s approach to consultation and ability to forge critical relationships.
PRE-REQUISITE: This program will build on the foundational learning of the Osgoode Certificate in Fundamentals in Indigenous Peoples and Canadian Law. Although not a formal pre-requisite for registration, completion of this certificate or significant previous training and/or work experience in this area is strongly recommended.
Space will be limited, so register early!
Registration includes 120-day unlimited, online access to the recorded program.
What You’ll Learn
The aim of the program is to provide you with a practical and foundational understanding of the duty to consult, including from early engagement to accommodation and beyond. Weaving Indigenous knowledge and Indigenous legal traditions with Canadian legal principles, over six intensive days we will explore the key stages and aspects of the consultation and accommodation process, with a focus on best practices for fostering collaboration and trust.
Understanding the Historic Narrative and Legal Implications
The Legal Framework
UNDRIP
Role of Indigenous Law in Consultation
Unique issues in Consultation with Métis and Inuit Communities
Drilling down on the Who and What in Consultation
Indigenous Decision-Making Processes
Consultation As A Relationship
- Relationships within Indigenous Law
- Building Trust
Strategies for Preparing for Consultation
Capacity
Consultation During Claims Negotiations and Overlapping Claims/Rights
Relationship Of Consultation Processes With Regulatory Processes
Indigenous Traditional Knowledge
Cumulative Effects
Outcomes: Accommodation and Agreements
Finding Common Ground
Concluding Consultation and Challenging the Sufficiency of Consultation
PLUS! Our program will conclude with interactive workshops where you will have an opportunity to engage with the issues and apply your learning.
Who Should Attend
Government lawyers/officials – federal, provincial and municipal sectors
Leaders, councilors and advisors of Indigenous governments, nations and communities
Non-legal professionals who are working with and for industry, government and Indigenous communities, nations and governments
In-house Counsel, particularly those working in the energy, resource and infrastructure development sectors
Lawyers practicing in the areas of Aboriginal law, natural resources, environmental and Constitutional law
Faculty
Program Directors
Robert H. Brent
Senior Counsel, Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation (Ontario)
Alexandria Winterburn
Partner, Aird & Berlis LLP
Advisory Committee
Robert H. Brent
Senior Counsel, Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation (Ontario)
Karen Drake
Associate Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School
Georgina Lloyd
Assistant Deputy Minister, Northern Affairs Organization/SMA, Organisation des Affaires du Nord, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada | Relations Couronne-Autochtones et Affaires du Nord Canada
Jennifer Tidmarsh
Vice President, Indigenous Relations & Partnerships, Ontario Power Generation
Alexandria Winterburn
Partner, Aird & Berlis LLP
Michelle Wood
General Counsel, Legal Services Branch (MNR) / Civil Law Division Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario)
David Barrett
Director Sustainability at Alamos Gold Inc. [Osgoode Certificate in Fundamentals of Indigenous Peoples and Canadian Law – 2020 Attendee]
“Coming into this course with extremely little understanding of the Canadian legal context or the relationship between it and our indigenous population, these sessions provided an excellent overview of key milestones in Canada's history that have shaped today's landscape.”
Agenda
Please Note
A detailed agenda for the upcoming program will be available soon.
Register
Apr 2, 16, 30 & May 14, 28 & Jun 11, 2025
Please Note: Modules 1 and 6* (April 2 and June 11, 2025) are available for in-person OR online registration. All other modules are available for online attendance only.
*Module 6 (June 11) includes afternoon workshops, participation in which is a requirement for the certificate. These workshops will not be recorded and will not be available any other time. Registrants should plan to participate in the June 11, 2025 workshops, either in person or online.
Optional: Join us for a pre-program connect event on Thursday, March 27, 12:00 – 1:00 pm ET.
$3,995 + TAX
Time
April 2, 2025
9:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m (ET)
April 16, 2025
9:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m (ET)
April 30, 2025
9:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m (ET)
May 14, 2025
9:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m (ET)
May 28, 2025
9:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m (ET)
June 11, 2025
9:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m (ET)
Location
Printable Registration Form
If a downloadable form is required, please contact OsgoodePD@osgoode.yorku.ca.
Bursary – Indigenous Learners
OsgoodePD Bursary for Indigenous Learners OsgoodePD offers financial assistance to individual learners who identify as Indigenous (defined as Status, Non-Status, Métis, and Inuit). A limited number of bursaries are available, and these will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
TO APPLY: Bursary Application (yorku.ca)
“Is financial assistance or funding available?”
As law evolves, we know how important it is to stay up to date. We also understand the financial implications of continuously upgrading your professional skills and knowledge. For more information on available options, including Job Grants, OSAP, please visit:
Certificate Requirements
To be eligible for the Osgoode Certificate, by completion deadline (30 days after the last program day) participants must complete all 6 program days (either live or on demand); and complete one of the Day 6 (June 11, 2025) workshops – live (in person or via Zoom). The workshops will only be offered at the scheduled date and time.
Melanie Mathieson
Senior Advisor, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Branch, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines [Certificate in Fundamentals of Indigenous Peoples and Canadian Law]
“Speakers were top notch in their conveying of information and experts on the subject matter. Presentations were pertinent to the topic matter. Personal experience always adds to the quality of information as well.”
CPD and Accreditation
Please Note
Final CPD accreditation has yet to be confirmed. Confirmed hours will be available soon.
Deeper Learning Opportunities
LLMs
Are you a law graduate or an executive/senior professional with at least 5 years of specialized experience? Consider a full-time or part-time LLM degree.
Part-time LLMs Full-time LLMsSingle Course Enrollment
Do you have an LLB/JD? Consider taking a single LLM course for deeper learning in a specific area of practice – all credits will apply towards a Professional LLM.
Explore LLM coursesFrequently Asked Questions
Client and Technical Support
Have questions? Get advice in person, by email or over the phone.
Program content questions
Alison Hurst, Program Lawyer
ahurst@osgoode.yorku.ca
Registration questions
Technical support
Online Technical Requirements
To ensure you do not encounter any issues that will impact or limit your learning experience, please review the following information.