Indigenous Studies

Director

Peter Vietgen

General Information

Administrative Co-ordinator

Sarah McGean

905-688-5550, extension 3530

Welch Hall 68

The Tecumseh Centre for Aboriginal Research and Education focuses on Turtle Island Indigenous Cultures and Issues and offers an opportunity to study Indigenous languages, culture and society from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. It includes courses in Indigenous Studies and cross-listed courses from co-operating faculty in other departments/centres: Dramatic Arts, Sociology, and Women's and Gender Studies.

The Centre offers a program leading to a Certificate in Indigenous Language. The program provides an in-depth study of an Indigenous language and culture from beginner to advanced level.

The Centre also offers the Gidayaamin Indigenous Certificate Program, designed to be a first year certificate that allows students to transition into an undergraduate degree program of their choice. Embedded in the program design is a holistic system of support that will assist Indigenous women in meeting their full academic potential in balance with cultural traditions and spirituality.

The requirements for admission to the certificate programs are the same as admission to a degree program. See "Certificate Requirements" under Academic Regulations.

Indigenous Studies courses may be taken for credit as electives in any degree program or as a minor within their degree program.

Certificate Program

Certificate in Indigenous Language

The Certificate is awarded upon completion of the following courses with a minimum 60 percent overall average:

	INDG 1F01, 2F01 and 3F01
	two credits from INDG 2F91, 2F97, 4F01

Gidayaamin Indigenous Certificate

The Certificate is awarded upon completion of the following courses with a minimum 60 percent overall average:

INDG 1F90, 1F94, 1P22, 2F80, 2P50, 2P51 and 2P90

Minor in Indigenous Studies

Students in other disciplines can obtain a Minor in Indigenous Studies within their degree program by completing the following courses with a minimum 60 percent overall average:

	Two INDG credits numbered 1(alpha)00 or above
	two INDG credits numbered 2(alpha)00 or above

Description of Courses

Note that not all courses are offered in every session. Refer to the applicable term timetable for details.

# Indicates a cross listed course

* Indicates primary offering of a cross listed course

Prerequisites and Restrictions

Students must check to ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.

INDG 1F01

Introduction to Mohawk

Common sentence forms and vocabulary taught by audio-lingual methods. Listening, reading and writing of words and language recorded by Mohawk speakers. Extended dialogues to increase fluency in speech and reading.

Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.

Note: one-third of class time is devoted to the study of Mohawk culture.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 1F01, 1P01 and 1P02.

INDG 1F03

Introduction to Cayuga

Common sentence forms and vocabulary taught by audio-lingual methods. Listening to, reading and writing stories recorded by native speakers are used. Materials are chosen for cultural and linguistic content. Extended dialogues and storytelling to increase fluency in speech and reading. Transcription of and response to recorded language samples to extend writing in the Cayuga language.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in INDG (ABST) 1P03 and 1P04.

INDG 1F20

Introduction to Nishnawbe Languages

Common sentence forms and vocabulary taught by audio-lingual methods. Listening, reading and writing of stories recorded by native speakers. Extended dialogues and storytelling to increase fluency in speech and reading.

Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 1F20.

INDG 1F90

Introduction to Indigenous Studies

Indigenous cultures in contemporary North America. Diverse and common features of different nations; effects of geography, politics, history and language use.

Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 1F90.

INDG 1F94

The Traditional Indigenous Family

The traditional Indigenous family from pre-contact to the contemporary. Topics include commonalities among cultures, dynamics of family change and development, traditional family planning and parenting as well as individual, family and community relationships and roles.

Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 1F94.

INDG 1P22

Technology in Indigenous Community

Topics include representation of information, Microsoft applications, internet searching and library database instruction.

Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to ABWC certificate students until date specified in Registration guide.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 1P22.

INDG 2F01

Intermediate Mohawk

Development of communication abilities and acquisition of the punctual, indefinite and perfect verb forms; transitive pronouns, noun incorporation and locative. Extension of literacy and oral skills through taped and written traditional stories.

Lectures, lab, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): INDG (ABST) 1F01 (1P02).

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 2F01.

*INDG 2F14

Decolonizing Indigenous Women's Identities

(also offered as SOCI 2F14 and WGST 2F14)

Indigenous women's identities from social, cultural and political perspectives emphasizing culture, tradition and spirituality.

Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 2F14.

INDG 2F20

Intermediate Nishnawbe Languages

Development of communication abilities and acquisition of the punctual, indefinite and perfect verb forms; transitive pronouns, noun incorporation and locatives. Extension of literacy and oral skills through taped and written traditional stories.

Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): INDG (ABST) 1F20 or permission of the instructor.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 2F20.

INDG 2F40

Indigenous Creative Arts

Historical and contemporary Indigenous creative expression from various traditions and cultures.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 2F40.

INDG 2F70

Sharing Our Stories as an Approach to History

The traditional Anishnawbeg Story of the Seven Fires forms as organizational framework for the study of community histories of the Nishnawbe Aski territory.

Lectures/seminar, 6 hours per week.

Restriction: open to BEd-Primary/Junior (Aboriginal) majors.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 2F70.

INDG 2F80

Introduction to Indigenous Education in Canada

Overview of First Nation, Metis and Inuit education in Canada examining various Indigenous traditions, philosophies and culturally-based models. Purpose of education from both historical and contemporary Indigenous perspectives. Indigenous perspectives on the current state and future direction of teaching and research.

Seminar, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 2F80.

INDG 2F91

Studies in Haudenosaunee History

History of a selected Haudenosaunee society emphasizing the historical perceptions, developments and interpretations of that society.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 2F91.

#INDG 2F95

Indigenous Culture and Early Childhood Education

(also offered as EDUC 2F95)

Introduction of the culture of a selected Indigenous Society to early childhood educators.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to students admitted to the BECE program.

Students will not receive earned credit in INDG 2F95 if ABST 2F96 has been successfully completed.

INDG 2F96

Studies in Indigenous Culture I

Culture of a selected Indigenous society emphasizing the cultural perceptions, developments and interpretations of that society.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 2F96.

INDG 2F97

Studies in Haudenosaunee Culture

Culture of a selected Haudenosaunee society emphasizing the cultural perceptions, developments and interpretations of that society.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 2F97.

INDG 2F98

Studies in Indigenous Culture II

Independent study in an area of mutual interest to the student and the instructor.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 2F98.

INDG 2M90-2M95

Studies in Indigenous History

Variable topics course that surveys the history of a selected Indigenous society emphasizing the historical perceptions, developments and interpretations of that society.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 2M90-2M95.

INDG 2M96-2M99

Studies in Indigenous Culture

Variable topics course that surveys the culture of a selected Indigenous society emphasizing the cultural perceptions, developments and interpretations of that society.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 2M96-2M99.

INDG 2P03

Intermediate Cayuga I

Application of literacy skills and extension of vocabulary and listening skills by reading taped stories and legends and responding orally to audio-taped exercises and in writing to printed exercises.

Lectures, lab, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): INDG (ABST) 1P04.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 2P03.

INDG 2P04

Intermediate Cayuga II

Development of communication abilities and acquisition of the grammatical forms of future, aorist, indefinite and perfect tenses; transitive pronouns, noun incorporation and locatives.

Lectures, lab, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): INDG (ABST) 2P03.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 2P04.

*INDG 2P17

Reclaiming Indigenous Women's Literary Traditions

(also offered as WGST 2P17)

Indigenous women's literature and the stories embedded within the literature as they apply to Indigenous women's histories. Emphasis on decolonizing, reclaiming and strategies of resistance through writing.

Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to ABWC students until date specified in Registration guide.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 2P17.

INDG 2P50

Indigenous Spirituality I

Comparative survey of Indigenous spiritual traditions and the influence on contemporary lifestyle and thought of peoples residing in Canada and the United States.

Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 1P50.

INDG 2P51

Indigenous Spirituality II

Study of the similarities and differences in Haudenosaunee and Anishinabe spiritual tradition and belief system.

Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 1P51.

INDG 2P90

Pre-Confederation Indigenous History

Impact of colonialism on Indigenous peoples from contact to Confederation. Social, economic, and cultural impact on various First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples of Canada.

Seminar, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 1P90.

INDG 2P91

Post-Confederation Indigenous History

Impact of colonialism on Indigenous peoples from Confederation to present day. Social, economic, and cultural impact on various First Nation, Metis and Inuit peoples of Canada.

Seminar, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 1P91.

INDG 2P94

Introduction to Grammar for Teaching Indigenous Languages

Rudiments of Indigenous grammar and the way it is taught in a school setting emphasizing pronoun and verb morphologies.

Lectures, seminar, 36 hours.

Restriction: open to students admitted to the Primary and Junior (Aboriginal) program.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 2P94 and ABTE 8P91.

#INDG 2P96

Indigenous Theatre

(also offered as DART 2P96)

Theatrical, dramatic and performative representation of Indigenous peoples in the Canadian experience.

Lectures, lab, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): DART 1P91 and 1P92 (1F91/1F93) or permission of the Department of Dramatic Arts.

Note: materials fee and field trip fee may be required.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 2P96.

INDG 3F01

Advanced Mohawk

Advanced studies in reading, writing and speaking in the Mohawk Language in a cultural context.

Lectures, lab, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): INDG (ABST) 2F01.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 3F01.

INDG 3F03

Advanced Cayuga

Focus on the Great Law and the Code of Handsome Lake. Study of the elevated language and contemporary significance of these works from a Cayuga perspective.

Lectures, lab, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): INDG (ABST) 2P04.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 3F03.

INDG 3F90

Studies in Indigenous History I

History of a selected Indigenous society emphasizing the historical perceptions, developments and interpretations of that society.

Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 2F90.

INDG 3F91

Studies in Indigenous History II

Independent study in an area of mutual interest to the student and the instructor.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 2F92.

#INDG 3P25

Land, Body, and Sovereignty – Indigenous Perspectives

(also offered as WGST 3P25)

Indigenous understanding of the interconnections between land, Indigenous sovereignty, and the ability to exercise sovereignty over one’s body. Taught in accordance with Indigenous ways of knowing and doing, this course involves land-based learning that require students to be outside and/or visiting community sites.

Seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): one of WGST 1F90, one INDG (ABST) credit or permission of the instructor.

*INDG 3P47

Indigenous Women's Literature: Activism and Empowerment

(also offered as WGST 3P47)

Stories embedded within the literature as they apply to contemporary settings. Exploration of the power of Indigenous women's writing as a political and educational tool.

Seminar, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 3P47.

#INDG 3P69

Critical Perspectives in Indigenous Criminalization

(also offered as CRIM 3P69 and SOCI 3P69)

Sociological approaches to Indigenous criminalization. Topics may include imprisonment, gendered violence, state crimes, the policing of protest, and Indigenous law and self-governance.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: students must have a minimum of 7.0 overall credits or 2.0 SOCI credits above SOCI 1F90.

Prerequisite(s): one INDG (ABST) credit or SOCI 1F90.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 3P69.

*INDG 3P81

Indigenous Mothering and Motherhood: Historical and Contemporary Realities

(also offered as SOCI 3P81 and WGST 3P81)

Indigenous ideologies of mothering and motherhood from a variety of perspectives. Historical mothering practices and family structures highlighting unique roles of Indigenous women in many communities. Contemporary understandings of Indigenous ideologies of motherhood.

Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 3P80.

INDG 3P84

Indigenous Human Rights

Historical and contemporary topics may include the Indian Act, Residential Schools, Child Welfare, Treaty relationships, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and violence against Indigenous women. Development and application of and implications for future directions.

Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.

INDG 3P85

Indigenous Perspectives in the Media

Historic and contemporary portrayals of women, land, spirituality, politics, education and Indigenous people in the media from an Indigenous perspective.

Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.

#INDG 3P86

Indigenous Peoples in Global Perspective

(also offered as CRIM 3P86, SOCI 3P86 and WGST 3P86)

Contemporary debates in global Indigenous movements, including the legacy of colonization, land dispossession, cultural appropriation and new developments in the areas of environmental justice, cultural revival and political sovereignty.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: students must have a minimum of 7.0 overall credits or 2.0 SOCI credits above SOCI 1F90.

Prerequisite(s): one of, one INDG (ABST) credit, SOCI 1F90, WGST 1F90, 2P00 or permission of the Department of Sociology Administrator.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in INDG (SOCI) 3P46 and ABST 3P86.

INDG 3P95

Materials Development for Language Teaching

Teaching materials suitable to career settings and consistent with language methods taught in the program.

Lectures, seminar, 36 hours.

Restriction: open to students admitted to the Primary and Junior (Aboriginal) program.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 3P95 and ABTE 8P94.

#INDG 3Q90

Indigenous Cultural Production and Activism

(also offered as COMM 3Q90, DART 3Q90, INDG 3Q90, PCUL 3Q90, SOCI 3Q90 and WGST 3Q90)

Draws on cultural, experiential and theoretical texts to better understand Indigenous epistemologies. Examples include ImagineNative and community arts projects.

Lectures, field work, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: students must have a minimum of 7.0 overall credits.

Prerequisite(s): one of, one INDG (ABST) credit, COMM 1F90, PCUL 1F92, SOCI 1F90, WGST 1F90, 2P00 or permission of the instructor.

Note: students are expected to pay their own expenses.

#INDG 3Q97

Indigenous Feminisms

(also offered as SOCI 3Q97 and WGST 3Q97)

Re-conceptualizes feminisms within a transnational Indigenous framework. Topics include debates within Indigenous knowledge production, analyses of genders and sexualities, violence, poverty, the politics of reproduction, cultural identities, media, and environmental and social justice.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): one of, one INDG (ABST) credit, SOCI 1F90, WGST 1F90 or permission of the instructor.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in INDG (SOCI/WGST) 2P97.

#INDG 3Q98

Indigenous Peoples in North America

(also offered as SOCI 3Q98 and WGST 3Q98)

Contemporary struggles for cultural survival, land, self-determination and rights in the context of colonialism in North America. Diversity of Indigenous peoples, including their internal debates and divides.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: students must have a minimum of 7.0 overall credits or 2.0 SOCI credits above SOCI 1F90.

Prerequisite(s): one of, one INDG (ABST) credit, SOCI 1F90, WGST 1F90, 2P00 or permission of the Department of Sociology Administrator.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 3Q98, INDG (SOCI) 3P46 and INDG (SOCI/WGST) 3P76.

INDG 4F01

The Haudenosaunee Spirit

Three main cultural traditions of contemporary and traditional Haudenosaunee: the Teharonhyawkoh - The Myth of the Earth Grasper (an extensive treatise on Iroquoian Cosmology), the Kaya-nere'kowa -Constitution of the Great Law and the Kariwiyo - the Code of Handsome Lake.

Lectures, lab, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): INDG (ABST) 3F01 or 3F03.

Note: this course will be conducted partially in the Mohawk language and utilize guest speakers who are recognized experts on the Iroquoian tradition.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 4F01.

#INDG 4P76

Indigenous Social and Political Thought

(also offered as CRIM 4P76, SOCI 4P76 and WGST 4P76)

History and contemporary literatures on Indigenous epistemologies, the political philosophy of movements for decolonization, environmental sustainability, and Indigenous writing on gendered justice and cultural resurgence in a globalizing world emphasizing writings by Indigenous scholars.

Seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to SOCI (single or combined), CRIM and WGST (single or combined) majors until date specified in Registration guide. Students must have approval to year 4 (honours).

Prerequisite(s): one of, one INDG (ABST) credit, two SOCI credits, two WGST credits or permission of the Department of Sociology Administrator.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ABST 4P76.

INDG 4P84

Indigenous Peoples and Social Justice: Contemporary Issues

Critical analysis of social justice issues that impact Indigenous communities with respect to land, politics, children, governance and women.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

INDG 4P91

Contemporary Indigenous Performance I

Advanced exploration of North American Indigenous cultures and representations through multimedia and interdisciplinary performance.

Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.

INDG 4P92

Contemporary Indigenous Performance II

Creation and production of original works dealing with North American Indigenous topics and issues.

Lectures/seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): INDG 4P91.