Indigenous Studies
Work more effectively with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples by learning about traditional teachings, theories, and practices.
The experiential learning possible in the Indigenous Studies program is unparalleled.
The department excels in innovative and land-based teaching in Indigenous knowledge and practice within traditional and contemporary contexts.
Students also have access to Elders who are available for knowledge sharing and counselling. In addition, a lounge is dedicated to students enrolled in the program where assistance on academic matters is readily available from the departmental Chair.
Conseiller aux études
Lucien Pelletier
Téléphone : 705-673-5661 x 304
Courriel : lpelletier@usudbury.ca
Bureau : University of Sudbury, SE-106 - Secretary: Mary Recollet, 705.673.5661 x 225
The University of Sudbury’s Department of Indigenous Studies promotes an understanding of Indigenous knowledge, culture, traditions, aspirations and the historical basis of contemporary Indigenous issues, which is of great value for anyone, and in any profession. Students will develop multicultural awareness and critical thinking abilities that can be used to address the complex environmental, social, and health issues facing both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities around the world today. The entire program is grounded in the study of “the spirit of things,” as opposed to empirical or entrepreneurial approaches.
Political issues covered in the program encompass Aboriginal and treaty rights, governance and decolonization, Indigenous sovereignty and settler relations in both the Canadian and international contexts. The program considers social justice issues in the context of family and community life and from the perspectives of social policy and family law.
Focusing on our collective responsibility to care for the natural environment, the program takes a traditional ecological knowledge approach to environmental challenges at the local and international level. Cooperative, community-based practices towards effective stewardship and sustainability are also an important focus of this program.
Cultural studies courses focus on the interplay of traditional values, identity, spirituality and language. Courses on tradition and culture, art, literature and performance facilitate a fuller understanding of this interplay. Since language is an integral component of Indigenous knowledge and provides insights into a community and culture, courses on Nishnaabemwin and Cree are offered.
The program also addresses contemporary health challenges facing Indigenous people. It explores insights and strengths offered by culturally-based health practices and protocols as potential foundations for the creation of a healthy future for the next seven generations.
The program also offers a number of distance education courses, part-time studies, and some courses are also available in French (Études autochtones - ETAM).
The program welcomes Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, and is inclusive of First Nations, Inuit and Métis perspectives in its academic approach.
Students can complete their studies online in the following: Specialization, Concentration, and Minor.
Program Highlights:
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A three-year or a four-year program leads to a Bachelor of Arts with either a concentration or a specialization in Indigenous Studies.
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Students can do a Minor in Indigenous Studies: Indigenous Healing and Wellness; Indigenous Peoples and Mining; Nishnaabemwin; or Indigenous Environmental Studies; or simply take a few courses as electives, to enhance their education without pursuing a full degree in the discipline.
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Faculty members specialize in areas such as Indigenous Knowledge and practice, Education, History, Indigenous Critical Theory, Health and Wellness, International Issues, Languages, Media Studies, Law, Restorative Justice, Politics, Indigenous Research Methods, Arts and Literature, Theatre, and Environmental Studies.
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The Indigenous Studies department is committed to the resurgence of Indigenous knowledge and practices, as well as to the decolonization of Indigenous – Settler relations.
Ontario High School Applicants
1 grade 12 English U/M course
5 other grade 12 U/M courses
A minimum overall average of 70% in the 6 best grade 12 U/M courses
Additional information for applicants who have completed Advanced Placement courses.
Additional information for applicants who have completed the International Baccalaureate.
Applicants from outside an Ontario High School
Canadian High School Applicants from outside Ontario
Note pour les étudiants actuels
Les options de grade ci-dessous seront offertes lors de la prochaine année universitaire et ne le sont pas cette année. Si vous cherchez les cours à suivre afin de compléter les options d'un programme d'une année universitaire antérieure, svp consultez avec un conseiller académique.
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Indigenous Studies
Total 120 credits
Students must follow these regulations in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.
Specialization in Indigenous Studies (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE)
All students entering a BA program as of September 2017 are required to take 6 credits each of linguistic awareness, scientific literacy and indigenous content as per the regulations. Eligible courses are available at the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels and students should take them at the appropriate time in their studies. Courses fulfilling these requirements may be taken as electives or as part of a minor, concentration, major or specialization.
Required courses:
INDG 1116E Foundations of Indigenous Peoplehood
INDG 1117E Implications of Indigenous Peoplehood
INDG 2285E North American Indigenous People: Tradition and Culture
INDG 3105E Canadian Law, Politics and Indigenous People
INDG 3215E Indigenous Community-Based Research Methods
INDG 3226E Indigenous Critical Theory
+6 credits from either Language Series A or B*
+12 INDG credits at the 4000 level
+15 upper year INDG credits
+60 credits of electives
Note: Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
Language Series A*
INDG 1016E Introductory Nishnaabemwin A
INDG 1017E Introductory Nishnaabemwin B
INDG 2516E Intermediate Nishnaabemwin A
INDG 2517E Intermediate Nishnaabemwin B
INDG 3316E Intermediate Nishnaabemwin C
INDG 3516E Advanced Nisnnaabemwin A
INDG 3517E Advanced Nishnaabemwin B
Language Series B*
INDG 1025E Introduction to Cree
INDG 2035E Intermediate Cree
* INDG 1016E, 1017E, 2516E, and 2517E are not available for credit to students fluent in Ojibwe. INDG 1025E and 2035E are not available for credit to those fluent in Cree.
Major in Indigenous Studies (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE)
INDG 1116E Foundations of Indigenous Peoplehood
INDG 1117E Implications of Indigenous Peoplehood
36 INDG credits at least 6 of which must be at the 4000 level
78 elective credits*
Notes:
- Students must include 6 credits in linguistic awareness, 6 credits of Indigenous content, and 6 credits in the Sciences if not part of the other minor or second major. Eligible courses are available at the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels and students should take them at the appropriate time in their studies.
- Students must complete a minimum of a minor (24 credits) or a second major (42 credits) from among their elective credits.
- Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
Bachelor of Arts (General) in Indigenous Studies
Total 90 credits
Students must follow these regulations in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.
Concentration in Indigenous Studies (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE)
All students entering a BA program as of September 2017 are required to take 6 credits each of linguistic awareness, scientific literacy and indigenous content as per the regulations. Eligible courses are available at the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels and students should take them at the appropriate time in their studies. Courses fulfilling these requirements may be taken as electives or as part of a minor, concentration, major or specialization.
INDG 1116E Foundations of Indigenous Peoplehood
INDG 1117E Implications of Indigenous Peoplehood
INDG 2285E North American Indigenous People: Tradition and Culture
INDG 3105E Canadian Law, Politics and Indigenous People
INDG 3215E Indigenous Community-Based Research Methods
INDG 3226E Indigenous Critical Theory
+6 credits from either Language Series A or B*
+3 INDG elective credits at the 3000 or 4000 level
+36 elective credits
Note: Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
Minor in Indigenous Studies (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE)
INDG 1116E Foundations of Indigenous Peoplehood
INDG 1117E Implications of Indigenous Peoplehood
18 INDG credits at least 6 of which must be at the 3000 or 4000 level
Minor in Nishnaabemwin
INDG 1016E Introductory Nishnaabemwin A
INDG 1017E Introductory Nishnaabemwin B
INDG 2516E Intermediate Nishnaabemwin A
INDG 2517E Intermediate Nishnaabemwin B
INDG 3316E Intermediate Nishnaabemwin C
INDG 3516E Advanced Nisnnaabemwin A
INDG 3517E Advanced Nishnaabemwin B
One of :
INDG 2526E Nishnaabemwin Immersion
INDG 4006E Nishnaabemwin Discourse Studies
Minor in Indigenous Peoples and Mining
INDG 2146E Indigenous Perspectives on Mining
INDG 2316E Foundations of Indigenous Environmental Studies
INDG-3285E Living with the Land: Indigenous Knowledge in Theory and Practice
12 credits from the list below. Students are limited to 6 credits from among first year courses.
(a) 3 credits from the following Environmental Studies courses:
GEOL 1006E Introductory Geology I
ENGR 2106E Introduction to Mineral Resource Engineering
ENGR 3466E Environmental Impact of Process Industries
BIOL 3066E Indigenous Peoples: Ecology, Science and Technology
PHIL 2217E Environmental Ethics
(b) 9 credits from the following Indigenous Studies courses:
INDG 1116E Foundations of Indigenous Peoplehood
INDG 1117E Implications of Indigenous Peoplehood
INDG 2126E Indigenous Perspectives on Water
INDG 2136E Indigenous Political Resistance in Canada: An Integrated Media Analysis
INDG 2285/RLST 2285E North American Indigenous People: Tradition and Culture
INDG 3256E Indigenous Health and Wellness
INDG 4405E Seeing With an Indigenous Eye
INDG 4587E From the Fourth World: International Aboriginal Perspectives on Current Global Issues
Minor in Indigenous Environmental Studies
INDG 2316E Foundations of Indigenous Ecological Knowledge
INDG 2306E Contemporary Issues in Indigenous Environmental Studies
INDG 3285E Living with the Land: Indigenous Knowledge in Theory and Practice
Must select 3 credits from among the following Environmental Studies courses:
ENVI 1507E Introduction to Environmental Studies
ENVI 2516E Ecological Footprints and Demographic Change
ENVI 2526E Diet, Food Choice and the Environment
ENVI 2506E Cultural Representations of the Environment
ENVI 2536E Environment and Human Health
BIOL 2356E Principles of Ecology
BIOL 3376E Restoration Ecology 1
BIOL 3977E Biodiversity and Conservation
BIOL 4396E Current Issues in Environmental Sustainability
Must select 9 credits from among the following Indigenous Studies courses:
INDG 1116E Foundations of Indigenous Peoplehood
INDG 1117E Implications of Indigenous Peoplehood
INDG 2136E Indigenous Political Resistance in Canada: An Integrated Media Analysis
INDG 2285/RLST 2285E North American Indigenous People: Tradition and Culture
INDG 3256E Indigenous Health and Wellness
INDG 4405E Seeing With an Indigenous Eye
Minor in Indigenous Healing and Wellness (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE)
ISWK 1006/1007E Indigenous Social Welfare
OR INDG 1116/1117E Foundations/Implications of Indigenous Peoplehood
INDG 2285/RLST 2285E North American Indigenous People: Tradition and Culture
ISWK 2315E The Helping Relationship
INDG 3256E Indigenous Health and Wellness
ISWK 4256E Cultural Specific Helping with Indigenous People