Study Plan
Master of Arts in Indigenous Governance
The Master of Arts in Indigenous Governance program offers the students the choice of completing the requirements of the degree via three unique streams. Students can choose to write a thesis, which is defended orally and assessed by a committee. They may choose to write a comprehensive exam. The third option is to complete a practicum assignment with a relevant indigenous organization, community or government.
All students are required to take a total of 30 credit hours of work including 21 credit hours of required courses and 3 credit hours of elective courses. The remaining 6 credits are earned through the thesis, practicum, or comprehensive exam depending on the stream chosen.
Required Courses
- GIS-7021(6) Pathways to Indigenous Wisdom
在本课程中，学生的假设和世界观受到对土著知识方式的深刻而复杂的理解的挑战和丰富。通过非殖民化和本土化的思想，学生愿意想象，后来实施嵌入土著教义中的策略。该课程强调了通过检查和沉浸在土著认识论中的批判性思维的重要性，并将教师在第一民族的治理，发展工作和系统方面的专业知识带来了计划。 - GIS-7022(6) Indigenous Research Methodologies and Ethics
This course provides a review of the movement towards the decolonization of the Western model of research and the revitalization of Indigenous research frameworks and methodologies. The course also offers analysis of Western research methods and both their histories in colonial practices as well as their potential usefulness in Indigenous community-based research. The unique issues and principles involving ethical research in Indigenous communities are explored. The course also includes an overview of the governance by Indigenous communities of their own research and ethical review processes.
- GIS-7020(3) Indigenous Self Determination
本课程为学院带来了土著人民当前和未来的关键概念。土著人民面临和应对殖民化，帝国主义和全球化如何取决于对自决的批判理解和实现。考虑了围绕土著人民自决的法律，政治，社会和文化含义。该课程不仅集中在理论上的考虑上，而且旨在将自决问题带入集体和个人生活中的人的生活，并以土著人民的关注。
语言要求*
- GIS-1101（6）入门Cree
本课程适用于不流利的CREE并且从未参加过该语言课程的学生。重点主要是为了学习基本声音，词汇和语法模式的目的。Cree和英语之间的结构差异得到了强调。
OR - GIS-12201（6）介绍性Ojibwe入门
This course is intended for students who are not fluent in Ojibwe and have never taken a course in the language. The emphasis is primarily on oral work for the purpose of learning basic sounds, vocabulary, and grammatical patterns. Structural differences between Ojibwe and English are highlighted.
Elective Courses**
- GIS-7023(3): Indigenous Peoples, Globalization, and Development
如今，土著人民陷入了不断扩大的现代经济中，受到市场和政府的压力。越来越多的土著社区拒绝传统的资本主义发展愿景作为人类和环境剥削，并专注于新类型的当地发展项目。本课程分析了与土著社区中传统发展项目相关的一些冲突社区意识亚愽娱乐app
- GIS-7024(3): Biocultural Diversity Conservation: Balancing Scientific and Indigenous Knowledge.
生物和崇拜之间的互联性ural diversity underscores the critical need for protecting biodiversity and Indigenous cultures. The course addresses worldwide concerns regarding the loss of biological and cultural diversity. The central premise of the course is the interrelationship between Indigenous people and their environment. The course provides comprehensive reading material and learning strategies for developing a holistic understanding of the current global trends on conservation and bi- prospecting activities. The course discusses strategies and mechanisms for the protection of Indigenous peoples’ ancestral rights to traditional knowledge and biological resources - GIS 7703 (3) Indigenous Education in an Era of Globalization
This course examines various Indigenous learning systems and their adaptations within a global world. As societies become more integrated through globalization, traditional Indigenous learning systems are being challenged as to their viability. In response, Indigenous peoples are adapting their learning systems to meet the challenges that are occurring to the social fabric of their cultures. More generally, this course brings Indigenous perspectives on education to the analysis of globalization.
- GIS-7026：土著粮食安全
亚愽娱乐app社区食品安全得到更广泛的recognition and importance. The course focuses on a rich diversity of selforganized food systems to improve, maintain and enhance their health, well-being, resilience and ecological sustainability originated and nurtured by Indigenous and socially-economically under-represented local communities. It also examines Canadian and International case studies and empirical research on Indigenous voices, knowledges and perspectives on their own food systems. This course explores and critically engages students with the concepts, approaches, practices and challenges of Indigenous food production, consumption and distribution and their role in achieving community food security.
- GIS 7228 (6): Human Rights and Indigenous Rights in Latin America
This course studies the dynamic situation of Indigenous and human rights and related social conflicts in Latin America. Indigenous nationalities and other marginalized minority groups have developed innovative strategies, alliances and forms of political participation to achieve recognition of their rights and contribute to a new political configuration in the region. Although Indigenous peoples face similar cultural, political and economic challenges as a result of colonization and neoliberalism, their strategies of political participation produce different outcomes. A country or sub-region may be selected for an in-depth case study, and may vary in different times that the course is offered.
- GIS-7030(3/6): Directed Readings
In this course, readings and assignments in the area of Indigenous Studies are arranged between an individual student and the instructor. Topics may not duplicate regular course offerings in Indigenous Studies or other departments. This course is an opportunity to explore a specialized topic in the interdisciplinary context of the field. Examples of potential topics include: Indigenous perspectives on the Numbered Treaties; comparing Canadian and New Zealand/Aotearoa treaty rights efforts; analyzing artistic forms of Indigenous political resistance; exploring health implications of indigeneity in settler societies; or ethno-historical research on early Winnipeg Aboriginal community organizations.
- GIS-7200(3/6): Seminar in Selected Topics
This course focuses on particular aspects of Indigenous Studies, with a particular focus on Indigenous governance/policy. The selected topic is discussed in seminar format. It may be approached in a variety of ways, including philosophical, ecological, social/cultural, economic, political, or artistically. The course may be repeated for credit when the topic varies.
Some courses offered as Selected Topics have included:
- GIS 7200-001(3): Seminar: Indigenous Languages: Culture, Rights, And Conflict
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of Indigenous language issues related to culture, rights and conflict. It will also cover a variety of themes such as language advocacy, revitalization, and resistance. Students will be encouraged to critically compare and contrast the treatment of Indigenous languages through legislation, policy, grassroots activism, and educational and systemic efforts in countries such as Canada, the United States, New Zealand, Norway, and Sweden.
- GIS 7200-002(3): Seminar: Old Way - New Money: Indigenous Economic Development
Students will study theories and practices related to indigenous economic development. Of particular interest is the relationship between economic development, related policies, and indigenous sovereignty or self-determination. Students will become familiar with a range of indigenous economic development activities in Canada and globally, including entertainment such as tourism and casinos, and extractive industries such as mining and fishing. The course will provide insights into attitudes toward indigenous economic development from within as well as from outside Indigenous communities as well as the implications of those attitudes on theories, practices, and policies.
Graduation Requirement
- GIS-7101(6) Master´s Thesis
OR - GIS-7102 (6) Work Practicum
*The program may accept proof of proficiency or study in another indigenous language to waive language requirement.
** Please note that not all elective courses are offered every year. In addition, in consultation with their advisor, students may take relevant courses in other Master Programs including, but not exclusively: the Master in Development Practice, History, Religion and Culture, Economics, Anthropology, and Political Science. Courses taken through other departments must be at the graduate level (7000).
For additional information on courses, please view theacademic calendar.