Program Directors
Renée Pelletier
Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP
Michelle Wood
General Counsel, Legal Services Branch (MNR) / Civil Law Division Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario)
If your work engages with Indigenous issues, this is the foundational grounding you need to navigate this complex area. Now available On Demand for a limited time – registration open until April 8, 2025.
Understand this complex and vitally important body of law. It is a concise, deep dive into the knowledge and strategies you need to be able to work more thoughtfully and effectively when dealing with Indigenous legal issues.
Learn at your own pace from a truly outstanding faculty of experts. Senior lawyers, government and industry reps and academics from across the country will concentrate on the core aspects of Indigenous legal issues, focusing not just on the law itself, but also those practical considerations that are key to understanding the rapidly changing legal environment.
This self-paced program is a recording of the Certificate in Fundamentals in Indigenous Peoples and Canadian Law that ran live October – November, 2024. Students will have access to all of the program lectures and materials. There will also be live Zoom sessions (optional) where you can get your questions answered and engage with colleagues and our Program Directors.
Registration includes 120-day unlimited, online access to the recorded program.
What You’ll Learn
The aim of the program is to give you a practical and foundational understanding of Indigenous rights and title, the constitutional framework, reserve lands and developments on reserve, treaty interpretation, modern treaties, the duty to consult framework and practical strategies.
The historic narrative and constitutional framework
An overview of the case law and key legal concepts from the last 40 years
Understanding historic treaties – the context, perspectives and contemporary realities
The Indian Act: key issues for practitioners and policy makers
“Section 35” – understanding its purpose, framework and emerging issues
Understanding modern day treaties using case studies and a Canada wide comparative analysis, including First Nation, Inuit and Métis perspectives
Addressing overlapping territories, private lands, submerged land and waterways
The Duty to Consult and Accommodate – its origins, recent case law developments and current practices
Consultation approaches, policies and perspectives across Canada, including best practices
Indigenous self-governance
UNDRIP and what it means going forward
Who Should Attend
Lawyers practicing in the areas of Aboriginal law, natural resources, environmental and Constitutional law
Government lawyers/officials – federal, provincial and municipal sectors
In-house Counsel, particularly those working in the energy, resource and infrastructure development sectors
Leaders, councilors and advisors of Indigenous communities
Negotiators and mediators for industry, government and Indigenous communities
Faculty
Program Directors
Renée Pelletier
Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP
Michelle Wood
General Counsel, Legal Services Branch (MNR) / Civil Law Division Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario)
Advisory Board
Keith B. Bergner
Lawson Lundell LLP, Vancouver
Christopher Devlin
DGW Law Corporation, Victoria
Peter W. Hutchins
Hutchins Legal Inc., Montréal
Thomas Isaac
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, Vancouver
Robert Janes K.C.
JFK Law Corporation, Victoria
Peter R. Lemmond
Counsel, Ministry of the Attorney General, Crown Law Office – Civil
Naiomi W. Metallic
Associate Professor of Law; Chancellor's Chair in Aboriginal Law and Policy; Aboriginal Law Certificate Coordinator, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University and Burchell Wickwire Bryson LLP
Instructors
Melanie Mathieson
Senior Advisor, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Branch, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
“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.”
Agenda
Register
Mar 3, 2025
Certificate begins March 3, 2025. Participants can register until April 8, 2025, and will be given 120-day access to complete the recorded modules. Please note: program must be completed by May 13, 2025, in order to earn the certificate.
Program Kickoff: March 3, 2025 12:30 pm-1:30 pm ET
Engage with the Program Directors for an overview of the program and meet your fellow colleagues.
Q+A Drop-Ins (optional):
An opportunity to ask questions and engage with colleagues and our Program Directors.
March 20, 2025, 12:30 pm-1:30 pm ET
April 10, 2025, 12:30 pm-1:30 pm ET
April 23, 2025, 12:30 pm-1:30 pm ET
$3,995 + TAX
Time
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, participants must complete all six modules and receive a passing grade on each of the post-program day multiple choice assessments. All must be completed by May 13, 2025.
CPD and Accreditation
OsgoodePD is an accredited provider with the LSO, the Law Society of BC and NY CLE Board. Select your location to view the eligible hours you may claim.
| Substantive | 37h 15m |
|---|---|
| Professionalism | 2h 15m |
| EDI | 3h 45m |
| Total | 43h 15m |
| LAWPRO Risk Management Credit | Yes |
|---|
Are you reporting hours from a previous date?
View our CPD & Accreditation page to see previously calculated hours for this course.
LAWPRO
This program is approved for LAWPRO Risk Management Credit.
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.