Sydney Law School is proud to host the annual Wingarra Djuraliyin public lecture, which showcases Indigenous perspectives on law.

In 2024, the lecture is “Critical Legal Juxtapositions: Practice and Decision-Making”, delivered by Professor Val Napoleon (University of Victoria, Canada).

This event is being held to mark the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, which is celebrated annually on 9 August.

2024 Lecture

Critical Legal Juxtapositions: Practice and Decision-Making

What happens when we rethink state legal decision-making regarding Indigenous lands through the practical application of the laws of an Indigenous legal order? This talk is intended to support learning about ways of approaching, understanding and working with substantive Indigenous laws through reimagined legal processes and decision-making. A focus will be placed on introducing perspectives, principles, and practices that can help think through questions and issues that arise when engaging with Indigenous laws. There is much work to build needed public and state intersocietal legal capacities – what are the steps?

Program of events:

• Welcome to Country: Uncle Charles (Chicka) Madden
• Introductions: Professor Rita Shackel, Dean Sydney Law School
• Opening Remarks: Teela Reid, Wiradjuri and Wailwan woman, Professor of Practice, Sydney Law School
• Lecture: Professor Val Napoleon
• Q&A facilitated by: Brendan Loizou, Warlpiri man and PhD candidate in Law
• Closing Remarks and Vote of Thanks: Marlikka Perdrisat, Nyikina Warrwa and Wangkumara Barkindji woman, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Postgraduate Fellow

Friday 9 August, 6-7.30pm

CPD points =1.5

About the speaker

Professor Val Napoleon

Professor Napoleon is the Law Foundation Chair of Indigenous Justice and Governance at the University of Victoria, Canada. Professor Napoleon is from northeast British Columbia (Treaty 8) and a member of Saulteau First Nation. She is also an adopted member of the Gitanyow (Gitksan) House of Luuxhon, Ganada (Frog) Clan. Professor Napoleon’s major initiatives include the unique and ground-breaking JD/JID (joint JD and Indigenous law degree) program, and the establishment of the Indigenous Law Research Unit.

This event is presented by the University of Sydney Law School in collaboration with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services) at the University of Sydney.