What if belonging wasn’t about citizenship, but about kinship? Dr. Aaron Mills, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Constitutionalism and Philosophy at McGill University, posed this powerful question in his Annual Pierre Genest Lecture at Osgoode Hall Law School last week. As one of the country’s leading thinkers on Indigenous law, Mills is reshaping conversations on constitutionalism, reconciliation, and the revitalization of Indigenous legal orders.
His visit to Osgoode was more than just a lecture—it was an invitation to rethink the foundations of law and political identity. Over the course of several days, he engaged deeply with students and faculty, challenging dominant legal frameworks and offering fresh perspectives on Indigenous constitutionalism. He led a work-in-progress session on the draft paper Indigenous Constitutionalism, co-authored with Professor Karen Drake, which explores two distinct models: modern constitutionalism, grounded in constituent power, and rooted constitutionalism, based on sacred norms. Their discussion unpacked how these models shape political communities and address the ongoing harms of internal colonialism.
But it was Mills’ keynote lecture, Kinship’s Normativity: The Anishinaabe Law of Belonging, that left a lasting impact. Honouring the legacy of Osgoode alumnus and esteemed advocate Pierre Genest, this annual event brings thought leaders to the law school to explore pressing legal issues. Mills used this platform to challenge conventional narratives that frame First Nations political belonging as a question of citizenship. Instead, he argued for a radically different approach—one where kinship is not just a cultural practice but a distinct and powerful legal and political framework. His insights illuminated how Indigenous legal traditions, long overshadowed by colonial perspectives, offer sophisticated and enduring models of governance.
Grounded in the teachings of Anishinaabe elders, Mills’ scholarship bridges Indigenous law, legal and political theory, and comparative law. His work is reshaping how we understand Indigenous-settler relations and the future of legal pluralism in Canada.
At Osgoode, these conversations are not just welcome—they are essential. As a leader in legal scholarship, the law school remains committed to fostering spaces where transformative ideas take root, shaping the future of law and justice.