Law school in Nunavut

Applicants have just over one month to apply

Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Feb 26/01) - About 30 people gathered in the Iqaluit court room to listen hear lawyers and educators talk about a law school in Iqaluit.

The Akitsiraq Law school became a reality earlier this year when the Nunavut Goverment, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Qikiqtaaluk Corportaiton, and Justice Canada agreed to sponsor 15 students to attend the school this fall.

Background: In 1993 the first proposal for an Inuit law school was taken to the University of Ottawa. Through contacts made, the University of Victoria became involved in 1999 and in conjunction with Nunavut Arctic College and the Akitsiraq Law School Society, the Akitsiraq Law School was formed. The only Inuk lawyer in Nunavut is Premier Paul Okalik. There are currently no known Inuit law students in Canada. Instead of the regular Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), an admission test for the Akitsiraq law school will consist of an assignment to measure the ability of an applicant to understand legal concepts. Inuit from across Canada -- in Northern Quebec, Labrador and the NWT as well as Nunavut -- are eligible to apply. As well as a living expense allowance and covered tuition, students will also receive the GN employee rate for housing. Students will be required to work for their sponsors throughout the course and for two years after graduation. Each graduate will receive a University of Victoria law degree and be eligible to write the bar exam.

The school is a joint effort between Nunavut Arctic College and the University of Victoria.

Kadla Tagak was very interested in what was said in the court room Feb. 15. She is thinking about what it would be like to one day represent fellow Inuit in court, speak to the judge in Inuktitut and follow an alternative, culturally-sensitive justice model.

"If there are Inuit lawyers and they speak to people in Inuktitut there would be a lot less confusion."

Tagak has worked in the area of victim assistance since September and says there is a need for Inuit lawyers. Her husband is an RCMP officer and the chance of him being posted outside Iqaluit is something she has to consider before she applies -- that and her three young children.

"That's the only thing," she said.

"But if I were accepted I would be prepared for the amount of work because working with lawyers, I see how much work they do and they do a lot."

"There is a very pressing and urgent need for Inuit lawyers," said Andrejs Berzins, Northern director of Akitsiraq Law School.

"We will be making sure laws taught in a Northern context."

Berzins used property law as an example. Some classes on the subject may include elders explaining traditional property concepts.

Students will follow the curriculum from the University of Victoria's law school, and also learn traditional variations such as Inuktitut, traditional justice and other traditional knowledge.

It is four years instead of three, as in the south. The extra year will be used to introduce students to legal concepts and structure. And where students from the south need an undergraduate degree to apply, Akitsiraq is open to all Inuit.

"We are seeking to not make admission standards any easier, but recommend other services in the community are considered," Berzins said. "We want students to be genuinely committed for the next four years no matter how hard it may be."

Applicants have until March 30 to get their applications in.

Tagak, 26-years-old with a Grade 12 education, is still weighing her options.

"I think it is nice to see the government supporting Inuit people," she said. "It's a good opportunity for Inuit ... I can't say right now."