Establishment: Akitsiraq Law School was established in 2001 and is the first law school in Canada specifically designed to meet the needs of Indigenous peoples.
Location: The law school is located in Iqaluit, the capital city of Nunavut. Nunavut is the largest and northernmost territory in Canada, primarily inhabited by Inuit people.
Collaborative Effort: The establishment of Akitsiraq Law School was a collaborative effort between the University of Victoria’s Faculty of Law and the Nunavut Arctic College.
Inuit-Centric Curriculum: The law school’s curriculum is specifically designed to incorporate Inuit values, traditions, and legal systems, ensuring that it is relevant to the needs and experiences of Inuit people.
Customary Law: Akitsiraq Law School places significant emphasis on teaching Inuit customary law, which encompasses traditional legal principles and practices developed by the Inuit over generations.
Small Cohorts: The law school operates with small cohorts of students to ensure personalized attention and foster a supportive learning environment. This allows for more individualized instruction and engagement.
Collaborative Learning: The teaching methodology at Akitsiraq Law School emphasizes collaborative learning, where students work together to analyze legal issues, share knowledge, and develop legal skills.
Inuit Instructors: The law school actively seeks out and employs Inuit instructors who have experience and expertise in Inuit legal systems, providing students with firsthand knowledge and perspectives.
Cultural Integration: Akitsiraq Law School aims to integrate cultural components into the learning experience, recognizing the importance of cultural identity and its relationship to legal practice.
Access to Justice: One of the primary goals of Akitsiraq Law School is to address the shortage of legal professionals in Nunavut, particularly those with a deep understanding of Inuit law. By training Inuit lawyers, the school seeks to improve access to justice for Inuit individuals and communities.
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