Indigenous Canada
University of Alberta
About this Course
Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson 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. Topics for the 12 lessons include the fur trade and other exchange relationships, land claims and environmental impacts, legal systems and rights, political conflicts and alliances, Indigenous political activism, and contemporary Indigenous life, art and its expressions.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
1
Section
Worldview
In this introductory module, students learn the significance of stories and storytelling in Indigenous societies. We explore history that comes from Indigenous worldviews, this includes worldviews from the Inuit, Nehiyawak, Kanien:keha’ka and Tlingit peoples.
4 videos (Total 51 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
2 readings
Worldview Course Notes10m
Interactive Painting: A Tribute to Aboriginal Women10m
1 practice exercises
Module 1 Quiz10m
2
Section
Fur Trade
This module discusses pre-contact trading systems between Indigenous peoples of North America with a focus on the geographical region of Canada. We examine the chronological events of contact with Europeans and the events leading up to, and during the fur trade. This module also explores the long lasting social, political and economic ramifications of the fur trade on Indigenous peoples.
5 videos (Total 72 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
5 videos
Colonization12m
The Fur Trade Part 127m
The Fur Trade Part 215m
Frank Tough13m
2 readings
Fur Trade Course Notes10m
Interactive Painting: Education10m
1 practice exercises
Module 2 Quiz28m
3
Section
Trick or Treaty
Examines Indigenous and settler perspectives of treaty making. Discusses the variation of treaties in Canada and the unique circumstances surrounding these events. Outlines the temporal and geographical history of the numbered treaties (beginning on the east) and ends with a discussion of the historical events and policies leading up to Métis scrip.
5 videos (Total 65 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
5 videos
Numbered Treaties Part 112m
Numbered Treaties Part 28m
Numbered Treaties Part 36m
The Métis Nation19m
2 readings
Trick or Treaty Course Notes10m
Interactive Painting: Governance10m
1 practice exercises
Module 3 Quiz40m
4
Section
New Rules, New Game
This lesson begins with a discussion about what is distinctive in Indigenous legal traditions. Explores impacts of policies put in place as British North America attempted to solidify itself geographically and socially. Examines the ways in which the Indian Act contributed to assimilation.
3 videos (Total 44 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
2 readings
New Rules, New Game Course Notes10m
Interactive Painting: Governance10m
1 practice exercises
Module 4 Quiz24m
5
Section
“Killing the Indian in the Child”
Outlines characteristics of teaching and learning in Indigenous communities, and discusses how relationships were critical in teaching and learning. Traces the development and implementation of the Residential school system in the period after Confederation. Discusses intergenerational impact of Residential school system and the creation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
4 videos (Total 49 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
4 videos
Residential Schooling Part 112m
Residential Schooling Part 211m
Truth and Reconciliation Commission15m
2 readings
"Killing the Indian Child" Course Notes10m
Interactive Painting: Education10m
1 practice exercises
Module 5 Quiz36m
6
Section
A Modern Indian?
This lesson examines the burgeoning resistance of Indigenous leaders and the formation of Indigenous-led organizations as the Canadian government employed strategies to encourage assimilation of Aboriginal peoples and communities into mainstream society, specifically relating to urbanization.
5 videos (Total 49 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
5 videos
Resource Extraction & Shifting Roles Part 110m
Resource Extraction & Shifting Roles Part 212m
Aboriginal Women6m
Education in the City Shifting Roles7m
2 readings
A Modern Indian? Course Notes10m
Interactive Painting: Resource Use10m
1 practice exercises
Module 6 Quiz24m
7
Section
Red Power
In this lesson students will learn about key characteristics of a few different Indigenous political structures and the impacts of colonialism on these structures (e.g. Indian Act, Red Power/AIM, White Paper, Red Paper -Citizens Plus) Concepts explored include self-government, self-determination, and Indigenous resurgence.
3 videos (Total 57 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
3 videos
Influences of the Political System of the Canadian State21m
Sovereignty and Governance16m
2 readings
Red Power Course Notes10m
Interactive Painting: Education10m
1 practice exercises
Module 7 Quiz32m
8
Section
Sovereign Lands
Utilizing contemporary and traditional examples, this lesson connects Indigenous worldviews and traditional ecological knowledge. As well, this lesson traces the historical impacts of settlement. Discusses key concepts of case law associated with Aboriginal title, rights to land and resources. List the on-going threats to Indigenous lands and how these threats and challenges are being addressed.
6 videos (Total 69 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
6 videos
Indigenous Relationship to the Land Part 211m
Aboriginal Title and Right to Land Part 111m
Aboriginal Title and Right to Land Part 212m
Disconnection From Indigenous Lands Part 110m
Disconnection From Indigenous Lands Part 214m
2 readings
Sovereign Lands Course Notes10m
Interactive Painting: The Arts and the Environment10m
1 practice exercises
Module 8 Quiz30m
9
Section
Indigenous Women
Exploring Indigenous concepts of gender, and the traditional roles and responsibilities, this lesson then moves into an examination of how colonization can be characterized as a gendered project. Identifies some concrete examples of the impact of colonialism on Indigenous women.
3 videos (Total 61 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
2 readings
Indigenous Women, Girls, and Genderful People Course Notes10m
Interactive Painting: A Tribute to Aboriginal Women10m
1 practice exercises
Module 9 Quiz24m
10
Section
Indigenous in the City
Looking critically at the statement: “Cities are the place where Aboriginal culture goes to die”, this lesson explores sites of urban Aboriginal agency/active participation, urban Aboriginal governance practices, and urban reserves.
3 videos (Total 44 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
2 readings
Indigenous in the City Course Notes10m
Interactive Painting: Urbanization and its Effects10m
1 practice exercises
Module 10 Quiz10m
11
Section
Current Social Movements
What is an Indigenous concept of community? How do Indigenous people form communities traditionally and today? This module will explain how social and environmental activism can mobilize and create communities. This module identifies key moments such as the Oka Crisis, Idle No More and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls are grassroots resistance movements.
3 videos (Total 35 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
2 readings
Current Social Movements Course Notes10m
Interactive Painting: Governance10m
1 practice exercises
Module 11 Quiz22m
12
Section
‘Living’ Traditions – Expressions in Pop Culture and Art
Finally, we will explore how geographical location, trading networks and partnerships have influenced Indigenous art in the past. As well, we will examine contemporary iterations of Indigenous art and explore some of the artistic responses of Indigenous artists, musicians, and writers to the impacts of colonialism.
6 videos (Total 69 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
6 videos
Indigenous Art Part 29m
Indigenous Art Part 313m
Aboriginal Voice Part 110m
Aboriginal Voice Part 211m
Course Art15m
2 readings
Living Traditions Course Notes10m
Interactive Painting: The Arts and the Environment10m
1 practice exercises
Module 12 Quiz12m
4.8
Top Reviews
By JB•Jan 22nd 2018
Excellent course that provides a great foundation for learning about Indigenous cultures and worldviews. Provides thoughtful topics to explore and insightful knowledge. I highly recommend this course!
By YH•Sep 25th 2017
This course was eye-opening and an essential learning experience for my work with First Nations children and their families. I have and will continue to recommend this course to my colleagues.
Instructors
Dr. Tracy Bear
Assistant Professor
Dr. Paul Gareau
Assistant ProfessorAbout University of Alberta
UAlberta is considered among the world’s leading public research- and teaching-intensive universities. As one of Canada’s top universities, we’re known for excellence across the humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering and health sciences.
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