Bachelor of Indigenous Justice
Length: 4 Years
Delivery: Hybrid - Intensive Delivery Model
(Virtual online / In-person in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory*)
Next Intake: Fall 2027
Tuition: $8500.00*/year
*subject to change
Please Note: Complete applications will be processed on a rolling basis until the program is full.
Applications will then be forwarded to our waitlist.
Overview
The Bachelor of Indigenous Justice (BIJ) program at FNTI prepares learners to become leaders, advocates, and changemakers in the justice sector. Grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems, teachings, and cultural practices, the program equips graduates with the skills to:
Navigate the justice sector through Indigenous worldviews.
Apply traditional knowledge and cultural competencies in practice.
Lead innovative social change in justice sectors across Turtle Island.
Think critically and communicate effectively about Indigenous justice theory and practice.
Promote equity, inclusion, and the advancement of Indigenous human rights.
After four years, graduates are prepared to work with Indigenous victims, offenders, and communities in areas such as corrections, youth justice, social and community work, victim services, policy analysis, and research. The BIJ program also provides a strong foundation for further studies.
Learning Experience
Delivered in a hybrid model: online learning supported with wraparound supports, integrated experiential learning (IEL) and select land-based and in-person learning opportunities.
Annual summer (August) residencies starting in year 2, along with on-going community-based experiences.
Instruction led by Indigenous academics, knowledge holders, and practitioners.
Curriculum privileges Indigenous academics, perspectives, worldviews, cases and issues.
Cohort-based learning (18-24 learners per year).
A Perspective Shift
The BIJ program is framed through Indigenous concepts of justice as healing, guided by philosophies such as the Two-Row Wampum. It emphasizes restoring balance and strengthening relationships with self, family, community, Nation, and all of Creation.
At FNTI, learners gain more than a degree—they join a community dedicated to Nation building, social change, and the resurgence of Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
Why learn with FNTI?
WHY FNTI
For more information, contact our Recruitment Office at 1.800.267.0637 ext. 141 or email us at recruitment@fnti.net
Admission Requirements
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Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including ENG4U/EAE4U (or equivalent course) with a minimum grade of 70% or higher.
(If you do not meet this requirement, upgrading options are available. Please reach out to recruitment@fnti.net)
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Letters can be completed by community/cultural; academic; or professional references; and must identify the nature of the relationship and outline how the applicant aligns with the program intent
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Your Letter of Intent is an opportunity to introduce yourself and share why you are interested in pursuing the Bachelor of Indigenous Justice program at FNTI.
In your letter, we encourage you to reflect on:
What has inspired or motivated you to apply to the Bachelor of Indigenous Justice program?
What personal, educational, professional, cultural, or community experiences have shaped your interest in Indigenous justice?
What does Indigenous justice mean to you, and how do you see yourself contributing to positive change within Indigenous communities?
How do you hope this program will support your personal, educational, or professional goals?
We recognize that learners bring diverse experiences, perspectives, knowledge, and ways of knowing. Your Letter of Intent is an opportunity to share your unique journey, your commitment to learning, and what you hope to contribute to and gain from the program.
500 words max. Original work is required, AI generated work will be flagged and will not be accepted.
This is also an opportunity to demonstrate your writing proficiency.
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Applicants that receive an offer of admission will be required to submit a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) for participation in IEL learning sites.
Please note that failure to provide a clear Vulnerable Sector Check will not impact entrance into the program, however, it will impact which IEL sites the learner can participate in, and may impact ability to complete the program.
For further details please see the FAQ below.
FAQ
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The next BIJ intake is scheduled for Fall 2027.
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Apply online through our website.
NOTE: Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria prior to applying. All required documents, transcripts, and admission materials must be submitted by the due date before FNTI Admissions will consider an application complete and ready for review. Incomplete application will not move forward in the review process.
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Please see the Admission Requirements section above.
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Yes, all required documents must be submitted for your application to be considered complete and ready for review. Any outstanding documents submitted past the closing deadline will not be considered.
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No, there is no application fee.
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If you should need help with the application process, please Contact: recruitment@FNTI.net
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Currently there is no option for pathways or to apply transfer credits to the BIJ program.
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As part of the admissions process, applicants may be invited to participate in an interview or additional assessment to provide further insight into their motivations, experiences, readiness for degree-level study, and interest in Indigenous justice.
Where additional assessments are required, FNTI will communicate the process and expectations to applicants in advance.
Assessments will be conducted using consistent criteria, with appropriate accessibility accommodations available upon request.
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As part of the Bachelor of Indigenous Justice program, learners will be required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) to participate in certain Integrated Experiential Learning (IEL) opportunities.
A VSC containing findings does not automatically result in refusal of admission or removal from the program.
Where findings are identified, FNTI will undertake an individualized review, considering the nature and relevance of the findings, applicable legal requirements, and the expectations of potential IEL spaces.
Some IEL opportunities may have additional screening requirements established. These requirements may affect a learner's eligibility to participate in particular organizations and/or communities and, where alternative arrangements cannot be made, may affect their ability to fulfill program requirements.
Applicants are encouraged to contact FNTI Admissions if they have questions about screening requirements.
Admissions & Recruitment
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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.
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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 culturally-based learning context that focuses on justice-related issues and concerns that affect Indigenous Peoples.
Indigenous cultural knowledges, paired with field-specific knowledge, is the foundation of the program. This 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.
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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 embeds traditional teaching styles and assessment processes for each stage of the program.
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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 erasure, learners will 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 program centers Indigenous Culture and Knowledges of law and justice.
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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.
Program Information & Accreditation
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4 Years
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The BIJ program is delivered in a hybrid model. A combination of in person in Tyendinaga and virtual deliveries.
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Each year begins with a 5-day in-person learning experience at a central location (Monday-Friday). Learners are responsible for travel, fuel, meals, and accommodations. FNTI will host a feast during your stay.
In first year, learners take the Medicines and Land-Based Learning course — a time for spiritual connection, renewal, and growth.
In years two to four, learners participate in summer residencies, designed as Integrated Experiential Learning (IEL) opportunities. These residencies focus on community-based learning, traditional protocols, personal portfolio development, and creating an IEL plan with guidance from the teaching team and your cohort “Auntie.”Throughout the week, learners may take part in workshops, guided teachings, and day trips that deepen connection to spirit, land, and community. These experiences build strong cohort relationships, allow time for ceremony, and nurture the reflective learning that shapes well-rounded justice workers.
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Typically 18-24 Learners
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Courses are delivered in an intensive format, typically completed over four weeks. Each course provides 45 hours of in-class instruction, plus additional homework and independent study. These are fast-paced, focused learning experiences designed to immerse learners fully in the material.
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Courses are taught by experienced academics and professionals, many of whom bring extensive real-world expertise to their teaching. FNTI gives preference to educators of Indigenous ancestry, reflecting our commitment to Indigenous Knowledge, perspectives, and leadership in education.
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Most in-person classes will take place at Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Possibility of other locations within Ontario for land-based courses.