Indigenous Applicants

At Jackman Law, we know that thriving in law school is about more than coursework; it’s about connection, identity, and a sense of belonging. The Indigenous Initiatives Office is a vibrant hub where students come together to learn, share, and grow in an environment that celebrates Indigenous knowledges, worldviews, and voices.

Whether you’re joining a land-based learning experience at Anishinaabe Law Camp, contributing to the student-run Indigenous Law Journal, attending an ILSA (Indigenous Law Students’ Association) event, or participating in the lively U of T Indigenous community, you’ll find opportunities to explore law through an Indigenous lens and to engage with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and leading Indigenous legal scholars. Students can also deepen their studies by pursuing the Certificate in Aboriginal Legal Studies, which provides a focused academic pathway to understanding the relationships between law, Indigenous rights, and justice.

Our Indigenous application category aims to identify exceptional students who will contribute a rich and diverse set of life experiences to the study of law. As an Indigenous applicant, we encourage you to describe your interest in, identification with, and connection to your communities in your personal statement.

You can find more information about the application process in the Application section.

Indigenous Applicants

The Indigenous application category helps ensure that future legal professionals reflect the diversity, strength, and brilliance of Indigenous communities. This pathway welcomes applicants whose lived experiences, leadership, and community engagement shape how they see and practice law.

When preparing your personal statement, we encourage you to share your story: the relationships, cultural connections, and experiences that have guided your path. This is your opportunity to show how your background inspires your interest in legal education and how you hope to contribute to your communities and the wider legal profession.

You don’t have to navigate the process alone! Our Indigenous Initiatives Office is here to support you at every step, from questions about the application process to connecting you with current students and mentors.

Indigenous Applicant Category – Substantiation

To be considered under the Indigenous Applicant Category, you must:

Identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis in the OLSAS School Submissions section; and
Submit documentation through OLSAS to substantiate your Indigenous Membership, Citizenship or Enrollment (Option A or B).

For more information on the University of Toronto's Indigenous Substantiation Process, please visit: Indigenous Substantiation | Office of Indigenous Initiatives

For further information contact the Manager, Indigenous Initiatives, at iio.law@utoronto.ca or 416-978-2583.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are no strict cut-offs for GPAs or LSAT scores for any applicant. Our JD admissions process aims to identify exceptional students who bring diverse life experiences to the study of law. We conduct a full reading of your application, giving equal weight to your LSAT, academic record, and personal profile. The review process is context-sensitive, meaning we consider all these factors together. While academic records and LSAT scores matter, we rely on your essays for insights that numbers cannot convey. We encourage students with seemingly less competitive scores to apply, as we admit many who merit offers of admission when their files are reviewed in context.
Jackman Law offers a generous Financial Aid Program to eligible students. Additionally, there are several bursaries and scholarships for Indigenous students through the University of Toronto’s First Nations House, as well as external scholarships that become available throughout the year. The Manager of Indigenous Initiatives advertises these opportunities as applications open. You can learn more about funding your education by contacting the Indigenous Initiatives Office.
Jackman Law has the June Callwood Program, offering community-based paid internships for Indigenous students in community organizations. If you're interested in the international aspects of Aboriginal law, you can propose internship projects with international Indigenous communities through the International Human Rights Program. Jackman Law also provides a clinical opportunity with Aboriginal Legal Services (ALS), where you can earn credit while gaining practical experience with ALS lawyers on Gladue matters or victim advocacy files. Additionally, you are eligible to apply for the Osgoode Intensive Program in Aboriginal Lands, Resources, and Governments. Our Indigenous Initiatives Office collaborates with the Career Development Office to ensure job opportunities with Indigenous communities and employers are up to date.
The Manager of Indigenous Initiatives implements various innovative initiatives to support the success of Indigenous students. The Coordinator provides specialized support, hosts outreach and recruitment events, connects students with Indigenous alumni for mentorship, and builds strong relationships with external and internal organizations.

The Dean offers an Academic Success Program for all first-year students facing academic difficulties or seeking to improve their exam or writing skills. Upper-year Student Advisors provide one-on-one academic mentoring sessions and group study skills workshops, all free and confidential. You can access this program individually or in small study groups and may be referred by a professor based on performance in writing assignments.

First Nations House (FNH), located at the St. George Campus, provides culturally-appropriate services for Indigenous students from various Nations across Canada, fostering a supportive community environment, cultural connections (including an Elder-in-Residence program), health and wellness supports, academic supports and more.
The Indigenous Mentorship Program is designed to build supportive relationships and pathways into and through law school. Coordinated by the Indigenous Initiatives Office (IIO), the program offers two streams:
Prospective Student–JD Student: Indigenous undergraduates or prospective students interested in law school are paired with current Indigenous JD students.
JD Student–Alumni: Indigenous JD students are paired with practicing Indigenous lawyers and alumni.
Both streams are rooted in reciprocity and connection, ensuring that students have access to mentors who can share lived experiences, answer questions, and provide guidance in a supportive and flexible way. Whether you are just beginning to explore law as a career, or preparing to transition into practice, this program creates space to learn from those who have walked a similar path.
At Jackman Law, you’ll find a thriving community. The Indigenous Initiatives Office connects you with a rich network of peers, mentors, and community members across U of T and the wider urban Indigenous community.
Dive into experiential learning through the Kawaskimhon Aboriginal Moot join the editorial team of the student-run Indigenous Law Journal, and collaborate with leading Indigenous legal scholars. Our programming includes cultural events, workshops, and land-based learning opportunities that let you engage with Indigenous legal traditions and cultures in meaningful ways.
Beyond academics, you’ll find mentorship programs that connect you with upper-year students and alumni, a strong Indigenous student community through ILSA, and a chance to take part in Toronto’s dynamic Indigenous arts, culture, and activist scene. At Jackman Law, you won’t just study law; you’ll build lasting relationships, gain hands-on experience, and contribute to the change you want to see.

Indigenous Law Centre - University of Saskatchewan - Spring & Summer Law Courses for Indigenous Students

The Indigenous Law Centre (ILC) at the University of Saskatchewan offers a Spring & Summer Law Program designed for incoming Indigenous law students across Canada. This program provides the opportunity to complete a for-credit law course before beginning first year (1L), helping to ease the transition into legal studies and reduce course load in upper-years.

Beyond academic preparation, the course offers an important chance to learn in a law school environment composed entirely of Indigenous students, fostering community and connections that extend across law schools nationally.

- Course dates and offerings vary year to year. Please check the Indigenous Law Centre website for the most up-to-date information. If there is a discrepancy in credit counts between their website and the Jackman Law admissions website, please note that the ILC website is the authoritative site.
- Tuition and fees are not covered by Jackman Law; students are responsible for payment to the University of Saskatchewan.
- The program is administered by the Indigenous Law Centre, University of Saskatchewan.
- For academic and credit transfer information at Jackman Law, please contact the Associate Dean, JD Program at Jackman Law.

For more information

Contact the Manager of Indigenous Initiatives at iio.law@utoronto.ca or call 416-978-2583.

As an Indigenous applicant, you may also want to explore the Indigenous Initiatives Office web page for additional resources.

Indigenous Applicants

Indigenous Applicants

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Indigenous Substantiation policy?

Are there a certain number of spaces reserved for Indigenous application category JD students?

How many Indigenous students attend Jackman Law each year?

Are there minimum GPA and LSAT scores for an applicant to be competitive?

What financial aid options are available for Indigenous JD students?

What opportunities are there for JD students to work directly for Indigenous communities?

What personal supports are available to Indigenous JD students?

Are there any job opportunities specifically for Indigenous students?

As an Indigenous student, do I have to commit to practicing Aboriginal law?

What mentorship opportunities are available at Jackman Law?

What makes Jackman Law a great choice for Indigenous applicants?

Indigenous Law Centre - University of Saskatchewan - Spring & Summer Law Courses for Indigenous Students

Eligibility

Credit Transfer at Jackman Law

Important Notes

For more information