About
The Debwewin Fellowships were established response to Recommendation 6(d) from Justice Iacobucci’s First Nation Representation on Ontario Juries Report (February 2013), the Debwewin First Nation Jury Review Implementation Committee, in partnership with the Ministry of the Attorney General Indigenous Justice Division and the University of Toronto.
Program Overview
The Debwewin Summer Law Program, offered in collaboration with the Indigenous Justice Division (IJD) at the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) and the University of Toronto, provides three 12–15 week internship placements for first- or second-year JD students during the summer term (May to August) for up to $12,000 each.
These internships are designed to support students interested in delivering community education and legal assistance to First Nations, Métis, or Inuit communities and organizations across Ontario, with a particular emphasis on rural and remote communities.
Students may propose a placement themselves or work with MAG or law school staff to coordinate one. Fellows will work with a local Indigenous community and host organization to create a justice-related project based on Iacobucci Report themes. They are also responsible for organizing at least two public legal education workshops on the jury system and justice issues relevant to Indigenous communities.
Three Debwewin summer fellowships are available for 1L and 2L students interested in serving First Nations, Métis, or Inuit communities. Fellowships run 12-15 weeks from May to August.
Info Sessions Held Annually
Questions may be directed to the Indigenous Initiatives Office at iio.law@utoronto.ca.