Course Descriptions

The course examines a range of contemporary issues relating to the conceptual foundations of Aboriginal Self Determination. Historically, the Aboriginal “Way of Life” had spiritual roots and encompassed all of life, and this holistic perspective continues to influence modern developments in varying degrees. This class will introduce students to the Cree concept of Mitho Pimachesowin (ability to make a good living) and its application to contemporary initiatives in Aboriginal Self Determination. It will also explore its related elements of autonomy, kinship, work ethic, respect, responsibility and resilience.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): 18 credit units NS or INDG or permission of the instructor
Note: Students with credit for NS 410 or NS 498.3 Aboriginal Self Determination Through Mitho-Pimachesowin (Ability to Make a Good Living) may not take this course for credit. This course was labeled NS 410 until 2015.

That the literature on Indigenous genocide is relatively sparse reflects the degree in which non-Indigenous North Americans have constructed national histories that either erase Indigenous historical presence, as in the United States, or, as in Canada, promote a benevolent national character. As a result, in both countries there is a refusal to take seriously any claims of Indigenous genocide. This reading course will provide students the opportunity to explore the various ways in which genocide has been enacted upon Indigenous peoples, how discussions about Indigenous genocide has shifted in recent years, and the multitude of long-term implications genocide has created for Indigenous people.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s):Two of INDG 210, INDG 216, INDG 261 and INDG 262
Note: Students with credit for INDG 498.3 Indigenous Genocide may not take this course for credit.

This course will take an interdisciplinary approach to explore issues of cultural preservation. The objective of the course is to allow students to examine how Aboriginal cultural preservation does or can affect areas important to Aboriginal people. Topics to be covered in the course include cultural representations in museums, repatriation, archaeology, governance, economic development, health, contemporary music, film, youth, urban, resource management, law, and sports, among others. This course has three basic goals: to discuss aspects that form the foundation of current cultural preservation initiatives, to acquaint students with principles of cultural preservation, and to examine how these principles can be applied to different activities, in a way that ensures Aboriginal cultural preservation.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units in senior NS or INDG courses, or permission from the instructor.
Note: Students with credit for NS 430 may not take this course for credit. This course was labeled NS 430 until 2015.

Examines the concept of global Indigeneity, and the utility of this concept for understanding the Aboriginal contexts. Topics may include: underdevelopment, colonialism, internal colonialism, imperialism, and the metropolis-hinterland paradigm.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): INDG 252; and INDG 351 or INDG 352; and 12 credit units INDG courses at the 300-level.
Note: Students with credit for NS 403 or NS 440 may not take this course for credit. This course was labeled NS 440 until 2015.

The Department of Indigenous Studies, in collaboration with Swinburne University of Technology, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and the University of Hawaii, offer this field-based experiential learning course that rotates location yearly between Saskatchewan, Australia, North Carolina, and Hawaii. Designed to bring together Indigenous studies students from around the world, this course explores the many ways in which Indigenous peoples in the host country experience colonization and how their resistance has led to a contemporary Indigenous resurgence. Students from these institutions will learn from local Elders, knowledge keepers, and community members in a variety of field-based learning activities.

Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units INDG courses.
Note: Students with credit for INDG 498.3 Remembering Resistance: Memory, History, and Indigenous Resurgence or INDG 498.3 Remembering Resistance: Australia may only take this course for credit if the location is different.
Note: There are costs in addition to tuition fees. Please contact the department for information.

This course explores issues relating to the historical and contemporary experiences of Indigenous women in northern North America. It examines themes including Indigenous understandings of gender and kinship; the history of settler colonial policy and the regulation of Indigenous women; the law and criminalization; labour and informal economies; politics and activism; and motherhood and child welfare. This course also considers Indigenous feminist analyses and its relationship to understanding Indigenous women’s issues.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): INDG 230.3 and 9 credit units INDG courses at the 300 level; or permission of the instructor.
Note: Students with credit for INDG 498 Indigenous Women Feminism Politics and Resistance may not take this course for credit.

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Note(s): This course was labeled NS 498 until 2015. Costs in addition to tuition may apply to certain sections of this course. Please contact the department for information.

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Note: This course was labeled NS 499 until 2015.