Indigenous Studies

Undergraduate Program in Indigenous Studies

A university that’s all about you

Athabasca University, Canada’s Open University, is the nation’s leading online and distance education university. We’re proud to take education to the people, serving more than 38,000 students in 89 countries worldwide.

We offer over 750 courses in more than 90 undergraduate and graduate degree, diploma and certificate programs. Our philosophy is to remove geographical, financial, social and cultural barriers that traditionally limit access to post-secondary achievement.

The flexibility of our distance and online learning programs allows you to obtain a quality post-secondary education on your own terms—anywhere, any time. Studying at AU is the perfect way to experience all the advantages of a traditional university in a non-traditional setting, like your home, office or wherever you may find yourself. Undergraduate Program in Indigenous Studies

studies, and to enable you to the ability to complete your post- officers, managers The study and learn in environments secondary studies at home in and many others who undergraduate which reflect your true heritage your own community required a degree or just and culture. the option to continue working a course or two in their program in while you earn your degree educational journey. This program will appeal to Indigenous small classes you if you are interested in Our commitment extends personalized tutoring and Studies Indigenous issues and are to creating and providing excellent student support looking for Indigenous Studies courses that are relevant, courses written by Indigenous telephone and online access respectful and meaningful authors. It is designed for people, to course materials, library to both Aboriginal and resources and your tutor At the Centre for World Indigenous and non-Indigenous, non-Aboriginal students Indigenous Knowledge and who want to get a start on a high academic standards and to preserving First Research, we promote an university degree, learn new easy-to-follow course materials Nations, Métis and Inuit education that is valuable, skills, keep up with changes in intellectual traditions in meaningful and beneficial to their profession, work toward Our Commitment to You our course development Indigenous students and their career advancement or achieve and programming. communities, in Canada and personal development. is around the world. We draw committed to your education. our educational philosophy Benefits With long-term Aboriginal from the teachers we know education initiatives and Through Athabasca University’s partnerships with several First best: our Elders, leaders and Left: addresses internationally recognized traditional knowledge holders Nations colleges, we have been Prime Minister Pierre E. Trudeau expertise in online and distance in Indigenous communities. able to present university classes and other Cabinet members on 4 June 1970. Along with education, you can experience on reserves, in communities and the convenience and flexibility about 200 other Our aim is to foster your throughout the world. delegates Cardinal argued for the of earning a degree without intellectual growth through establishment of a “truly impartial uprooting your life. claims commission appointed after a quality post-secondary We are very proud of our consultation with the Indians.” education that is guided by commitment to First Nations, Benefits of studying at the philosophies and values of Métis and Inuit students. We Source: Arthur J. Ray, I Have AU include Lived Here Since the World Began: Indigenous peoples. We call have been pleased to have had An Illustrated History of Canada’s this education that makes a open access to most programs the opportunity to provide a Native People. Revised edition, p. difference. Our objective is to and courses if you are 16 or older quality post-secondary education 333 (Toronto: Key Porter Books, 2005). Original source: CP support your full participation, to many Aboriginal students, the freedom to study according Images, a division of the Canadian to ensure equitable access to to your own schedule and to set including nurses, educators, Press (Image #1485428). and success in post-secondary your own pace future doctoral candidates, police Reproduced with permission. Undergraduate Program in Indigenous Studies

Courses

Students can study full-time or part-time. Full-time In addition, Athabasca University offers or will students are expected to enrol in three to five courses offer several courses of interest to those working per term. Part-time students usually enrol in one or two with Indigenous Nations and organizations. These courses per term. courses are written by First Nations, Métis or Inuit authors. Athabasca University offers these Indigenous Studies courses in a variety of delivery modes (See below for INST 440 Principles of Indigenous Business more information on delivery methods). INST 450 Financial Management for First Nations INST 460 Management of Indigenous Nations and INST 111 Introductory Cree I Organizations INST 112 Introductory Cree II INST 470 Leadership of Indigenous Nations and INST 203 Indigenous Studies I Organizations INST 205 Indigenous Studies II INST 480 Comparative Indigenous Models of INST 211 First-Year University Cree Government: International Models INST 212 First-Year University Cree II The Centre for World Indigenous Knowledge and INST 348 Aboriginal Justice Research is continually developing new programs INST 357 Contemporary Aboriginal Issues in Canada and courses. Courses now in development include INST 358 Aboriginal Women in Canada INST 377 Topics in Aboriginal Government INST 426 Aboriginal Law and Government INST 301 Indigenous Education INST 390/391 Individual/Group Research Projects INST 420 Indigenous Resistance INST 430 Indigenous Governance Also look for future courses in Cree languages, self- INST 490 Advanced Topics in Indigenous Studies: determination, contemporary issues, oral traditions Aboriginal Women and Indigenous literature. INST 493 Individual Directed Research in Governments and Laws A list of courses now being offered and of those that are scheduled to be offered in the near future is available at http://www.athabascau.ca/indigenous/ courses.php.

Left: Chief Kinosayoo at Treaty No. 8 negotiations, Lesser Slave Lake Settlement. Source: Charles Mair, Through the Mackenzie Basin: A Narrative of the Athabasca and Peace River Expedition of 1899 (Toronto: W. Briggs, 1908). Public Domain Undergraduate Program in Indigenous Studies

Admission Course Requirements Delivery Methods

AU is an open university. If you AU is committed to meeting note that you must register are 16 or older, you can enrol, your needs as a student through for your courses at least one regardless of your previous flexibility in the design and month in advance of your academic achievement. You delivery of its courses and intended start date. are not required to have a high programs. You can choose school diploma. Some courses from two basic course delivery Grouped Study: Grouped or programs, however, do have modes: individualized study study courses require specific academic prerequisites. or grouped study. Both modes students to meet in a allow for a number of different classroom and follow a You can take the self-assessment learning methods, including fixed course syllabus and questionnaire Am I Ready for home study, seminars, classroom work schedule. Grouped Athabasca University? in the instruction, teleconferencing, study courses are currently Online Resources section at www. videoconferencing, and Internet available in , athabascau.ca/main/studserv. and computer-mediated courses. Newfoundland and the htm or phone to request a printed Northwest Territories. To copy of the questionnaire. Individualized Study: Almost find out whether a course all AU courses are available you are interested in is AU’s year-round admission and through individualized study. available as a grouped study course registration policy and The flexibility of individualized course, go to http://www. its individualized study courses, study through online and athabascau.ca/collab/ and prior learning assessment distance education allows you click on Classroom Courses. and recognition program, and to continue your post-secondary challenge-for-credit opportunities education and professional Do you have a group of can help you to achieve your development while maintaining learners in your community, educational goals. your employment and remaining institution or nation who are in your home community. interested in a particular Individualized study courses course, diploma or degree? are offered throughout the If so, please contact the year, beginning on the first of Centre for World Indigenous each month. You have up to six Knowledge and Research months to complete a three- at AU. We will not only credit course and, within that recommend course or time frame, you are free to set program options to meet your own study schedule. Please your needs but also make

Far Left: Athabasca University main campus in Athabasca, Alberta, Canada Undergraduate Program in Indigenous Studies

sure that course delivery is Advanced Credit/ Student Services suitable for your audience. A Transfer Credit minimum number of learners is As an AU student, you will generally required for this type AU has articulation agreements have access to extensive of delivery. Please contact us for with many colleges and technical support services, including more information. institutions across Canada, counsellors and academic and you may receive up to 60 advisors, to help with Prior Learning and transfer credits for your previous program planning and Assessment Recognition education. Visit our Transfer academic questions. You (PLAR) Credit Database at www. may also consult with the athabascau.ca/cgi-bin/credit_ Office of the Registrar PLAR involves the identification, transfer.pl to see whether you are for advice on academic demonstration, documentation, eligible to receive transfer credit. procedures and problems. assessment and recognition of the learning that you have Admission Procedures For more information on acquired experientially or student services, got to informally and awards credit Admission is easy. To apply, www.athabascau.ca/main/ for learning relevant to the AU go to www.athabascau.ca, click studserv.htm. To discuss degree, certificate or diploma on Become a Student. Apply your situation with an that you are seeking. Online! and follow the on-screen Indigenous staff member, instructions. please contact indigenous@ For information and application athabascau.ca. forms, call the Centre for If you have completed courses Learning Accreditation at 1-800- or programs at other post- Financial Assistance 788-9041, extension 6348, or secondary institutions, you go to their website: http:// can have your previous work Financial assistance is priorlearning.athabascau.ca/ evaluated to see whether you can available for Indigenous contact/php. receive transfer credit toward students. Consult the AU your AU degree, diploma or Calendar, or the online certificate. Arrange to have Calendar at http:// official transcripts sent directly www.athabascau.ca/ for to AU by the other post- information about financial secondary institution(s) at assistance and awards. which you have studied.

Far Left: Athabasca University mace Undergraduate Program in Indigenous Studies

Honorary Doctorates Ovide William Mercredi (2009): An Honorary Doctor Patricia Anne Monture (2008): An Honorary Doctor Johnsen Sewepagaham (2007): An Honorary Doctor of Letters was conferred on Ovide William Mercredi in of Laws was conferred on Patricia Anne Monture, a of Laws was conferred on Johnsen Sewepagaham, At the Centre for World Indigenous recognition of his outstanding contributions to public service professor of sociology, chair of Graduate Studies and who was elected Chief of the Little Red River Cree Knowledge and Research, we and lifetime commitment to the peaceful preservation and academic co-ordinator of the Aboriginal Justice and Nation in northwestern Alberta in 1980 and served in promote an education that celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ rights. Mercredi is Criminology Program at the University of Saskatchewan. that capacity for five consecutive four-year terms. He is valuable, meaningful and celebrated as a leader, Indigenous rights advocate and peace Monture’s commitment to academic excellence in both distinguished himself as a respected leader of his people beneficial to Indigenous students activist. His notion of egalitarianism and fairness, as well as research and teaching has had a tremendous effect on in the fields of education, public service, social services, and their communities, in Canada his sense of community obligation, led him to the position Indigenous studies, women’s studies, law and sociology. health and resource development. Sewepagaham is and around the world. We draw of Regional Chief in the Assembly of First Nations, and She is a highly sought-after international lecturer highly supportive of post-secondary learning and was our educational philosophy from ultimately, beginning in 1991, to the first of two terms as the whose work has been acknowledged by Indigenous instrumental in bringing post-secondary education to the teachers we know best: our National Chief of the AFN, during which time he demonstrated communities worldwide. his community. Elders, leaders and traditional a commitment to peaceful resolution of differences and knowledge holders in Indigenous to the rejuvenation of traditional Indigenous teachings in communities. contemporary settings.

Over the years, AU’s connection to the First Nations community in Alberta and in Canada has been nurtured and strengthened. It is an example of our commitment to building quality post-secondary education that is determined by the philosophies and values of and our relationships with Indigenous Peoples.

We are proud of the First Nations/ Metis leaders who have received honorary degrees from AU. Marie Smallface-Marule (2006): An Honorary Doctor Maria Campbell (2001): An honorary Doctor of Letters of Letters was conferred on Marie Smallface-Marule was conferred on Maria Campbell for her lifelong in recognition of her outstanding service to Aboriginal endeavours to promote Métis culture, traditions and community development and education. Smallface-Marule politics and advance Métis issues, concerns and priorities is an outstanding Alberta educator who has dedicated in Canada. She has been an Elder in Virtual Residence with her career to native education and native community the Centre for World Indigenous Knowledge and Research development. She is president of Red Crow Community at Athabasca University. College and was the founder and president of the First Nations Higher Education Commission of Alberta. She was the recipient of the 1995 National Aboriginal Achievement Award and was honoured with the Queen’s Medal for outstanding community and educational service.