A new home for Indigenous legal resurgence
The new Indigenous Law wing at UVic is open. It is a place to share Indigenous legal traditions and is home to the Faculty of Law’s JD/JID program – the first law program in the world to combine the study of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous laws.
Funded by UVic, Law Foundation of BC, Gov'ts of BC and Canada
The 2,440-square metre addition to the Murray and Anne Fraser Building offers a much-needed, culturally appropriate space for learning and teaching Indigenous Laws. Purpose-built to welcome, gather, learn and share Indigenous legal knowledge, the new wing creates flow between old and new spaces, indoors and out.
"This building is more than architecture; it is a physical expression of reconciliation in action. It is a place where law is not abstract but relational — rooted in the lands, waters, and teachings of this territory. It is a place where our collective responsibilities to one another can be discussed, debated, and strengthened."
- Sarah Morales Associate Dean Indigenous Law
Corridors & Common Areas
Small Gathering Space
Large Gathering Space
Large Tiered Classroom
Maker Space
This space supports teaching embodied and customary learning practices like spear-making, weaving, drum making and preparing medicines. Through these teachings passed down through generations, we understand that law is lived and brought to life in daily practice. It's a place for connection, conversation, and shared learning
Outdoor Learning Deck
An accessible outdoor space for learning, gathering, and connecting with nature. Linked to the Maker Classroom and Atrium, it blurs the boundaries between indoors and out. The deck offers a natural connection to the forest and Bowker Creek, supporting land-based learning experiences.
Multi-Purpose Classroom
This adaptable classroom supports Indigenous, embodied, and innovative teaching practices. It encourages active, collaborative, and small-group learning, while its design blurs the line between indoors and outdoors.
Sky Classroom
See and feel the connections between law and the natural world in this space. Views of the sky and treetops highlight how interactions with our more-than-human relations shape our understanding of legal obligations. These interactions form a model for “living a good life” within the complexity and reciprocity of our own relationships.
Learn more about Indigenous Laws
The Indigenous Law Research Unit (ILRU) is a research institute focused on revitalizing Indigenous law and governance and is now located in the new Indigenous Law wing! The ILRU works toward a future where Indigenous laws are actively used, studied and taught like other major legal traditions.
Learn more:
Next Steps is an Indigenous-led initiative to renew and rebuild Indigenous legal orders across Canada. Drawing on the University of Victoria’s renowned legal research and education programs, Next Steps supports Indigenous societies to holistically revitalize their legal traditions.
Learn more:
Territory acknowledgement
We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.
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