Indigenous Canada Course Syllabus

Overview: This course provides a comprehensive exploration of Indigenous histories, worldviews, and contemporary issues in Canada. Structured into six modules, it offers flexible learning over 12-20 weeks, with an estimated 60-80 hours of content. Participants will engage with Indigenous perspectives through storytelling, historical analysis, and discussions on reconciliation, governance, and rights. Designed for beginners, the course is accessible to all and emphasizes respectful understanding and allyship.

Module 1: Indigenous Worldviews and Governance

Estimated time: 15 hours

• Indigenous philosophies and ways of knowing
• Oral traditions and knowledge-sharing practices
• Indigenous legal systems and governance structures
• Spirituality and connections to the land

Module 2: The Impact of Colonization

Estimated time: 20 hours

• Effects of European contact and colonization
• Historical analysis of the Indian Act
• History and legacy of residential schools
• Indigenous resistance and survival strategies

Module 3: Treaties and Indigenous Rights

Estimated time: 25 hours

• Significance of treaty-making in Canadian history
• Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination
• Land disputes and legal battles over rights
• Leadership in Indigenous self-governance

Module 4: Contemporary Indigenous Issues

Estimated time: 30 hours

• Missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG)
• Indigenous activism and environmental justice
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its impact
• Social justice movements and advocacy

Module 5: Cultural Revitalization and Reconciliation

Estimated time: 35 hours

• Indigenous-led cultural preservation initiatives
• Revitalization of language and education systems
• Role of Indigenous media, arts, and storytelling
• Pathways to allyship and reconciliation for non-Indigenous people

Module 6: Final Project

Estimated time: 10 hours

• Reflective essay on personal learning journey
• Analysis of a contemporary Indigenous issue
• Proposal for meaningful allyship or advocacy action

Prerequisites

• Open to all learners with no prior knowledge required
• Willingness to engage respectfully with difficult histories
• Commitment to understanding Indigenous perspectives

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Articulate key aspects of Indigenous worldviews and governance
• Analyze the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization
• Understand the significance of treaties and Indigenous rights
• Identify current challenges and movements in Indigenous communities
• Apply principles of allyship and support reconciliation efforts