Yukon University developing territorys first law degree program

Yukon University is developing a Yukon-based law program, marking the first time a law degree will be offered in the territory. Developed in partnership with the University of Calgary, the program will offer standard law courses while also focusing on the territory’s individual legal landscape. Up to 25 students will be selected for the single cohort, three-year program. Graduates will receive a Juris Doctor, allowing them to practice law anywhere in Canada. “I think we’re just really, really excited for this program. It’s been a long time coming,” said Caroline Grady, Yukon University’s northern director of law. “Having folks who are trained here, who are already based in our community is so important to making sure that laws that are locally based really work for us.” The program is based on Nunavut’s Akitsiraq Law Program and its successor, the Nunavut Law Program. Akitsiraq was created to help Inuit students with the challenges of pursuing legal education in southern Canada while also increasing the number of practising lawyers in the territory. The Nunavut Law Program later built on that model with a one-time, four-year law degree. Grady said the Yukon faces similar challenges and that discussions with its legal community indicate they’re not enough private practice lawyers to meet demand. She said it’s not uncommon for those in need of legal representation to hire lawyers outside of the territory, often at a higher price and without local knowledge or expertise. “I think there’s a lot of people who could be passionate about it if they’re appropriately trained, if they have the opportunities to learn from lawyers here to make getting into the practice a bit easier,” she said. Caroline Grady, Yukon University’s northern director of law, is leading the program. Photo: Vincent Bonnay/APTN News It’s something Grady knows firsthand. A trained lawyer herself and a Ta’an Kwäch’än Council citizen, she said she had to leave the territory to attend law school in British Columbia. Experiences like hers are why the Council of Yukon First Nations passed a resolution in 2024 endorsing the development of a law degree program in the territory to decrease barriers to legal education, especially for Indigenous people. “I think it’s not something that a lot of Yukon First Nations people necessarily want to go outside the territory to do, so making sure that they have that home and space in this program is really important,” she said. “I’m so, so jealous of anyone who gets to do this program. I did law school at the University of Victoria, and it was just so I could get as close to home as possible.” The Yukon law program will be offered at Yukon University’s Ayamdigut campus in Whitehorse. Photo: Vincent Bonnay/APTN News Grady said the program will place special emphasis on Indigenous governance and modern treaties to ensure lawyers are competent in those areas. “There’s really nothing that the Final Agreements here don’t touch. Whether you’re working in family law, criminal law, Indigenous law, you’re going to have to run into them at some point,” she said. Grady said there’s been lots of interest in the program, with around 70 prospective students attending a recent public information session. “I think it’s really inspiring to know that we’re doing something and that there’s a demand for it and a need for it,” she said. “I’m very excited to see where it goes and how the development continues.” Applications are anticipated to open in the coming weeks, with the program expected to begin next fall. Continue Reading