The BIJ program’s core mission is to ensure that community program offerings are current, viable and relevant to the communities that are being served. The program will prepare learners to be:  

1. knowledgeable about criminal, restorative, social, environmental, and economic justice from an Indigenous perspective;  

2. empowered to embody their traditional knowledges and cultural competencies;  

3. equipped to contribute towards innovative social change in the local, regional, and national Indigenous justice sectors;   

4. skilled in analytical and critical thinking regarding theory and practice in Indigenous justice;  

5. comprehensive and effective communicators;   

6. compassionate professionals who respect diversity, equity, and inclusion; and 

7. advocate for the recognition and advancement of Indigenous human rights and justice.  

The comprehensive and wholistic program of study equips graduates to address the negative social impacts of imposed trauma in Indigenous communities while helping to create real and lasting social change. Graduates are prepared to foster the integrity and wellbeing of the individual, family, community, and the natural world. 

The BIJ program prepares learners for careers working with Indigenous victims, offenders, and communities, which may include corrections, youth justice, social and community work, victim services, policy analysis, and research. Learners gain theoretical, analytical, and practical knowledge and skills within a critical cultural-based learning context that focuses on justice- related issues and concerns that affect Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous cultural knowledges paired with field-specific knowledge as the foundations, uniquely situates the BIJ program to prepare graduates to pursue or continue their chosen careers in the Justice field. For example, learners interested in pursuing a career as a lawyer are encouraged to take the LSAT exam at the end of their third year of the BIJ and apply to the JD program of their choice. 

The BIJ program is grounded in First Nations, Métis, and Inuit philosophical traditions, including the Eight Stages of the Life Cycle, and the Seven Phases of Life. Building on these philosophical principles, the FNTI team has developed a culturally-focused BIJ program framework that imbeds traditional andragogies and assessment processes for each stage of the program.

Law and justice programs in Canada tend to centre on Canadian law and processes. These programs often lack teachings on traditional FNMI approaches to justice, law, wellness, and child-rearing. By exploring the historical and cultural contexts of FNMI practices, their subsequent repression and, in many contexts, erasure, learners can gain a deeper understanding of the Canadian legal system and its current enforcement mechanisms. Incorporating such knowledge into legal education can foster a more nuanced, inclusive, and just approach to law and justice in Canada.   The BIJ centers Indigenous culture and knowledges of law and justice.  

The BIJ is designed to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of Indigenous perspectives on law and justice. A distinctive feature of the program is its wholistic approach, emphasizing the integration of Indigenous knowledges and practices into all aspects of the learning experience. Through this wholistic approach, the program nurtures learners' intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual well- being, positioning them to become well-rounded and culturally sensitive professionals in the field of justice. Learner development begins by emphasizing self-awareness and the exploration of individual strengths, subsequently introducing new perspectives and experiences embedded in Indigenous knowledge. Throughout the program, learners delve into various aspects of Canadian and Indigenous legal frameworks, exploring how the latest information relates to them and the gifts they carry.