INDIGENOUS LEGAL TRADITIONS: LAW 1530 Instructor: Prof. Karen Drake Email:
[email protected] (Please do not email/message me through Desire 2 Learn as I will not be checking it regularly) Phone: (807) 346-7804 Office: 1004 D Office Hours: Tuesdays from 2 pm – 4 pm, or email me to make an appointment 1 COURSE INFORMATION 1.1 COURSE DESCRIPTION This course examines the legal traditions of some Indigenous nations, specifically the Anishinabe and Métis nations, given our presence within the traditional territory of the Anishinabe and within the homeland of the Métis. There is a burgeoning movement seeking to identify, revitalize, and apply Indigenous laws and legal principles. This course prepares you to participate in and contribute to that movement in your careers as lawyers, judges, policy-makers, leaders within Indigenous nations, leaders within the Canadian state, and as informed, engaged citizens. 1.2 COURSE OBJECTIVES This course will provide you with the resources to: (1) identify Anishinabek and Métis legal principles from within an Anishinabe or Métis perspective, and begin to see how those legal principles interrelate to form worldviews; (2) analyze legal problems faced by the Anishinabe or by the Métis, by applying relevant Anishinabek and Métis legal principles to novel fact scenarios; (3) critically evaluate the legal and normative foundation of Canada’s assertion of sovereignty over Indigenous peoples and Indigenous territories; (4) comprehend the effects of centuries of attempted cultural genocide on Indigenous legal traditions; (5) analyze the challenges and potential limitations involved in identifying and working with Indigenous legal knowledge; (6) develop a conceptual framework for understanding non-state, decentralized legal orders; and, (7) foster an environment of integrity and professionalism.