The Program of Legal Studies for Native People (PLSNP) offers a unique and exciting opportunity for Aboriginal people interested in studying law. The PLSNP is offered through the Native Law Centre at the University of Saskatchewan and is open to Aboriginal students from across Canada. It offers a Property law course and full academic support to prepare Aboriginal students for success in law school. It is also designed to provide an alternative means for Aboriginal students to be admitted to law school; to increase the number of Aboriginal professionals in the legal community; and to study Aboriginal issues in legal education.
HISTORY
The Program of Legal Studies for Native People has been offered at the University of Saskatchewan since 1973. It began as a pilot project to facilitate access to legal education for Aboriginal people. After studying a similar program established in New Mexico, the University of Saskatchewan offered the inaugural session.
When the PLSNP was established there were only 4 lawyers and 5 law students of Aboriginal ancestry in Canada. It has been very successful in increasing that number. PLSNP alumni have become lawyers, judges, government officials and professors. Many pursue graduate studies in law. However, the Aboriginal community is still under represented in all facets of the legal profession. In 2005 there were about 1000 Aboriginal law graduates in Canada. If Aboriginal people were proportionately represented as practicing lawyers in law societies across Canada, there would be approximately 2800 Aboriginal lawyers.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course is 8 weeks long and starts mid to late May. It is taught by lawyers and law professors from across Canada. The subject taught is property law, which is broken down into three components: personal property, real property and Aboriginal property. The course is representative of a first year property course offered at Canadian law schools.
Each week students spend 15 hours in class in addition to attending tutorials, writing seminars and skills sessions. Optional seminars on current legal issues are also offered. Reading and writing requirements are heavy and students are expected to be prepared for classroom participation. Students are required to write midterm practice exams as well as final exams.
The PLSNP focuses on teaching students the skills necessary to succeed in law school. To facilitate the focus on study skills, the PLSNP offers a support structure staffed by both writing consultants and teaching assistants. Skills are emphasized in law classes, as well as in legal writing classes. Students are also introduced to the fundamentals of the Canadian legal system.
The PLSNP’s teaching group includes a Customary law component and access to an Elder for guidance, counselling, and a cultural component. Among Aboriginal traditions incorporated into the PLSNP are talking circles, sweetgrass ceremonies, sweatlodges, feasts or round dances.
To complement the academic and cultural side of the Program, Teaching Assistants organize extracurricular activities such as sports, movie nights, or potlucks, and other social events.
EVALUATION
At the end of the PLSNP the teaching group assesses each student’s performance. Evaluation is based on two components. First, marks received in each writing assignment and exam are assessed. Second, the student’s legal analysis skills, writing skills and work habits are considered. The final grade and an overall assessment and recommendation is sent to each student and to each law school the student designates.
Several Canadian law schools recognize the property course offered by the PLSNP for credit as a first year law class, providing the student has completed at a satisfactory level. Satisfactory performance means receiving a grade of at least 60% in each property component.
ADMISSION
The PLSNP is open to all Canadian students of Aboriginal ancestry whether they are status or non-status Indian, Métis or Inuit, providing they have been admitted, conditionally or unconditionally, to a law school. Law schools may admit students through a general admissions category on the basis of grade point average and Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score; or, because inequities result from strict application of these criteria, law schools also admit students through a discretionary admissions category. The discretionary category considers various additional factors such as work experience, age and background. Aboriginal students may be accepted on the condition that they successfully complete the PLSNP.
A Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission Order permits restriction of enrolment to Aboriginal students.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Students usually have at least two full years of university education. Many have completed an undergraduate degree. Mature students may be accepted with one year of university or, in exceptional cases, with no previous university education but with a substantial work background.
LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION TEST
All students must write the LSAT. The test is offered four times a year (June, October, December and February). Students are advised to write the LSAT in the October or December before they wish to be admitted to law school. Students must register in advance to write the LSAT. Information on the LSAT can be obtained from most Canadian universities, all Canadian Law Schools and the Native Law Centre, or at: www.LSAC.org Registration must be done on-line, by phone or by getting a paper registration form by calling LSAC.
CANADIAN LAW SCHOOLS
An LL.B. from any Canadian law school is recognized across the country. The first year of law is much the same in every law school. Some law schools concentrate on particular areas in their upper year courses. Some schools, often larger ones, offer more electives in upper years.
COST
The tuition fee for the Program is reviewed annually. The fee includes the cost of required texts but does not include stationery supplies. The fee is presently $2300.00 and will increase in 2010 to $2500.00.
APPLICATION PROCES
Interested students should:
- Contact law schools they are interested in for information about the law school.
See links: http://www.lsac.org/canadianCFC/Canadian_homepage.asp
- Write the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
- Apply to the Program of Legal Studies for Native People as soon as possible.
- Apply to the law schools they are interested in, completing applications by each school’s deadline date.
The deadline for application to law schools varies from November 1 to February. Some schools will consider late applications from students in the discretionary category; others will not. Therefore, students should begin the application process early in the fall before they plan to attend law school. Apply to as many law schools as you are interested in and apply to the PLSNP.
Applications must be complete including resumes, transcripts, letters of reference, etc. The PLSNP also requires a 200-300 word essay indicating some personal background information and qualifications.
Students are not accepted into the PLSNP until they are accepted or recommended by a law school. Therefore, completion of applications by law school deadlines is very important. Generally, law schools consider students for conditional acceptance in late February or March; however, students are sometimes not referred to the PLSNP until April or May. The PLSNP encourages early assessment of applications by law schools.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Students attending the PLSNP have been approved for funding by the Federal Department of Indian Affairs and by Bands or local or regional education authorities. Status students are advised to contact their local education officer for assistance. Non-status and Métis students may qualify for scholarships or student loans and bursaries, or other government assistance.
PROCEDURAL ASSISTANCE
Students are strongly advised to contact the Program of Legal Studies for Native People early in the academic year to discuss their plans. Staff will assist students with the application process for the PLSNP and law school.
CONTACT
Native Law Centre
University of Saskatchewan
15 Campus Drive
Saskatoon SK S7N 5A6 Canada
Phone: (306) 966-6189
Fax: (306) 966-6207
E-Mail: plsnp@usask.ca
