Indigenous Canada MOOC
Indigenous Canada is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada.
From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores key issues facing Indigenous peoples today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations.
Indigenous Canada is for students from faculties outside the Faculty of Native Studies with an interest in acquiring a basic familiarity with Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal relationships.
Topics Covered
- The fur trade and other exchange relationships,
- Land claims and environmental impacts,
- Legal systems and rights,
- Political conflicts and alliances,
- Indigenous political activism,
- Contemporary Indigenous life, art and its expressions.
Course Format
Delivery: Online
Level: Beginner
Commitment: 12 weeks of study, 3–5 hours/week
This course consists of twelve modules, each with a series of:
- video lectures,
- a set of course notes and course glossary,
- and required and recommended readings.
Not open to students with credit in NS200. Not designed for Native Studies majors.
Instructor
Paul Gareau, PhD, Assistant Professor, Métis
Faculty of Native Studies
Paul L. Gareau is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta. His research is grounded in critical theory and methodology relating to the social and cultural impact of religion on identity formation. His academic publications and community research projects explore the influence of Catholicism on early and late modern identity, the legacy of colonial discourses on Indigenous and ethno-cultural minorities, and the multiplicity of experience in rural spaces. His research focuses on the Métis, Indigenous religiosity, youth, gender, la francophonie, and rural Canada.
Presenters
Tracy Bear, PhD, Assistant Professor, Montreal Lake Cree Nation
Faculty of Native Studies, Department of Women’s and Gender Studies
Tracy Bear is the project’s academic lead, and an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Native Studies and Department of Women’s and Gender Studies. Dr. Bear’s research interests include Indigenous Erotics & Eroticanalysis; Indigenous Feminism, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Sovereignty, Land & Body Politics; Reproductive Justice, Indigenous Queer & Two-Spirit Studies; Contemporary Indigenous Art.
Alannah Mandamin-Shawanda, BANS (Honors), Wikwemikong First Nation
Faculty of Native Studies
Alannah Mandamin-Shawanda is Anishnabee from Wikwemikong First Nation located on Manitoulin Island. She moved to Wetaskiwin at the age of seven, and mainly grew up in Alberta. She is graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Native Studies (Honors) at the University of Alberta. She is currently working with the Government of Alberta speaking and encouraging youth to explore their post-secondary options. She has a strong interest in Film and Media studies, and Indigenous Fourth Cinema. On her days off she enjoys taking long road trips, hiking, pleasure reading and fancy dancing.
Isaac Twinn, BEd, BANS, Sawridge First Nation
Faculty of Native Studies
Isaac Twinn is from the Sawridge First Nation, situated in Treaty 8 territory, in the Lesser Slave Lake region. He is currently doing work involving both Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth, culture, and education. In Isaac’s free time, you may find him either reading, golfing, fishing, hunting, learning his language, or spending time learning from Elders.
