Indigenous Peoples and the Law (IPL) - CPLED Staging

Understanding Indigenous legal traditions, their interaction with Canadian law, and frameworks for reconciliation is essential for ethical practice. The Indigenous Peoples and the Law (IPL) course equips students with foundational knowledge and practical insights to navigate these responsibilities. Students will explore Indigenous perspectives, historical context, and legal frameworks to develop competency and legal insight.

Developed in collaboration with the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) for internationally trained lawyers, this course supports candidates in meeting NCA requirements and prepares them for entry into the Bar admission process in a Canadian common law jurisdiction. Effective March 1, 2026, IPL will fulfill an NCA requirement toward completion of a Certificate of Qualification, and tuition will apply. A pilot offering begins January 19, 2026, and will be free for students, funded by the NCA. Registration for the pilot program is open from January 6–16, 2026.

Course Overview

The IPL course is self-directed and delivered entirely online over six weeks (seven including re-attempt if needed): four weeks to complete the modules, one week to prepare for the Final Assessment, and an assessment period of two weeks that includes an opportunity for re-attempt if needed. It requires approximately 12–13 hours to complete the course materials, excluding the Final Assessment and preparation required. During the course, students will engage in interactive learning, readings, videos, self-reflection tasks, quizzes, and a Final Assessment available through CPLED’s D2L platform.

To successfully complete IPL, students must:

Complete all modules by deadlines listed in course schedule.
Complete each module’s quiz with a score of 100% to unlock the next module. Each quiz contains 5 multiple-choice questions.
Achieve 70% or higher on the Final Assessment. The Final Assessment will be timed at 90 minutes and contains 60 multiple-choice questions.

A virtual proctoring coordinator will be present during the Final Assessment, and you must schedule your Final Assessment by the deadline posted in the course schedule.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the IPL course, successful students will be able to:

Describe and summarize the foundational principles of the Canadian legal system and their interaction with diverse Indigenous legal orders, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit legal theories, methodologies, and sources of law. Apply this knowledge to basic legal scenarios involving Indigenous legal traditions and authorities.
Interpret and apply ethical responsibilities in legal practice involving First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples, including trauma-informed approaches, distinctions-based practice, and duties related to truth and reconciliation, discrimination, and harassment.
Explain the distinctions between Indigenous law and Aboriginal law and describe their relevance in Canadian legal contexts.
Explain the historical and systemic context of colonialism in Canada, including the distinct experiences of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples with residential schools, Crown-Indigenous relations, and colonial doctrines such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius.

Explain and apply key frameworks for reconciliation and Indigenous rights in Canada, including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Treaties, Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Crown-Indigenous relations, including distinctions-based applications for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.