Course Offerings for 2024/25
Codes
- IFSFT = Indigenous Field of Study Full-time
- FNTI = First Nations Technical Institute Part-time
- KT = Kenjgewin Teg Part-time
Note regarding the use of the words "Indigenous" and "Indigenous peoples": The term Indigenous has a specific meaning in Canada, in that it is a term used to recognize the three major Indigenous groups: Status Indians, Metis and Inuit. This term and meaning is entrenched in the Canadian constitution and therefore in these course descriptions "Indigenous" refers to the Canadian context. "Indigenous" is a word whose meaning has emerged to mean all people around the globe who are recognized as the original ancestral inhabitants of a given territory before contact with outside groups. Therefore, when the word "Indigenous" is used it refers to the experiences and worldviews shared among original peoples around the globe.
Fall 2024 Course Offerings
- Section 4: September 23-27, 2024, Giselle Dias
Description
Transformative social work practice is understood to encompass critical reflexivity and action that aims to disrupt current social inequalities and manifestations of power inherent in the delivery of social services and community work. The fluid concept of social justice will be deconstructed and explored through a variety of theoretical lenses including, but not limited to Indigenous, anti-racist, feminist, queer, disability and transnational perspectives. Theories of progressive social change practices will be explored in order to lead the student to think about concepts such as colonialism, intersectionality, power and resistance within social work practices. Students will also be encouraged to engage in reflexivity with regards to their own experiences of intersecting identities and how they are situated within relations of power.
- letter grade
- Section 1: September 9-13, 2024, Lori Hill
Registration Status: KT Yr 1
- Section 2: September 9-13, 2024, Kathy Absolon
Description:
This course offers an opportunity for students to learn experientially about the traditional Indigenous worldview. This includes the values, philosophy, teachings, ceremonies, Creation relationship, and songs, dances, drums. The course will be delivered through a five-day program in a camp setting with the presence of Elders when students first enter the program.
- Graded on a P/F basis
Registration Status: FNTI Yr 2
- Section 1: November 18-22, 2024, Giselle Dias
Description
The community is the fundamental reference point for an Indigenous person. It is a source of identity development, for validation, for learning of culture (language, dance, ceremony, etc.) and for construction of the whole person (mental-spiritual-emotional-physical). Practice in the community setting is made up of understanding kinship structures, community solidarity, community action, and community nurturing for the present generation and for future generations. This course will enable students to examine the phenomenon of community in the lives of Indigenous populations, and how interventions into these contexts are an expression of healing processes.
- letter grade
Registration Status: IFSFT
- Section 1: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., T, Kathy Absolon
Description
This course will enable students to accomplish knowledge building and capacity development while using a research process. Students will engage a wholistic Indigenous Research paradigm which seeks multiple intersecting sources of information within communities around issues which are considered by the community as vital to their understanding of given phenomenon. This research will be empowering to Indigenous populations and be an expression of decolonization processes.
- letter grade
Registration Status: IFSFT
- Section 1: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., W
Description
Students will explore concepts of healing that flow from a wholistic Indigenous and Indigenous worldview. Healing is understood to be the facilitation of a healing journey for the individual, their family, their extended family, their community, their nation, and for spiritual relationships. The focus of this healing journey is on enhancing the nature of Creation for future generations. Students will become conversant in the understanding of the use of Circle, medicines, ceremonies, and Elders. The use of the Circle process will be a key element of this course.
- letter grade
Registration Status: IFSFT
- Section 1: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., M
Registration Status: KT Yr 1
- Section 2: October 21-25, 2024, Tina Armstrong
Description
This course will enable students to spend individual time with Elders to consider their own understanding of the Indigenous worldview. They will reflect upon their character, nature, spirit, and practice so that their capacity to facilitate other people’s healing will be understood.
- letter grade
Winter 2025 Course Offerings
- Section 1: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., M, Giselle Dias
Description
Transformative social work practice is understood to encompass critical reflexivity and action that aims to disrupt current social inequalities and manifestations of power inherent in the delivery of social services and community work. The fluid concept of social justice will be deconstructed and explored through a variety of theoretical lenses including, but not limited to Indigenous, anti-racist, feminist, queer, disability and transnational perspectives. Theories of progressive social change practices will be explored in order to lead the student to think about concepts such as colonialism, intersectionality, power and resistance within social work practices. Students will also be encouraged to engage in reflexivity with regards to their own experiences of intersecting identities and how they are situated within relations of power.
- letter grade
Registration Status: FNTI Yr 2
- Section 1: February 10-14, 2025, Kathy Absolon
Description
This course will build upon the experiences and knowledge gained by students in the cultural camp setting. Elders will enable students to engage a learning and reflective process which uses the worldview of Indigenous populations. Restorative and healing notions which address the structural and institutional consequences of historical marginalization of the Indigenous worldview will emanate from this reflection.
- letter grade
Registration Status: IFSFT
- Section 2: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., T
Description
The community is the fundamental reference point for an Indigenous person. It is a source of identity development, for validation, for learning of culture (language, dance, ceremony, etc.) and for construction of the whole person (mental-spiritual-emotional-physical). Practice in the community setting is made up of understanding kinship structures, community solidarity, community action, and community nurturing for the present generation and for future generations. This course will enable students to examine the phenomenon of community in the lives of Indigenous populations, and how interventions into these contexts are an expression of healing processes.
- letter grade
Registration Status: KT Yr 1
- Section 2: January 27-31, 2025, Lori Hill
Description
Students will explore concepts of healing that flow from a wholistic Indigenous and Indigenous worldview. Healing is understood to be the facilitation of a healing journey for the individual, their family, their extended family, their community, their nation, and for spiritual relationships. The focus of this healing journey is on enhancing the nature of Creation for future generations. Students will become conversant in the understanding of the use of Circle, medicines, ceremonies, and Elders. The use of the Circle process will be a key element of this course.
- letter grade
Registration Status: IFSFT
- Section FIB
Registration Status: KT Yr 1
- Section PIB
Description
A supervised field experience designed to develop competence pertinent to social work practice in the student's chosen area of concentration (29 weeks).
- Graded on a S/F basis.
Spring 2025 Course Offerings
Registration Status: IFSFT
- Section 2: April 28-May 2, 2025
Description
This course will build upon the experiences and knowledge gained by students in the cultural camp setting. Elders will enable students to engage a learning and reflective process which uses the worldview of Indigenous populations. Restorative and healing notions which address the structural and institutional consequences of historical marginalization of the Indigenous worldview will emanate from this reflection.
- letter grade
Registration Status: KT Yr 1
- Section 2: June 2-6, 2025, Gus Hill
Description
This course will enable students to accomplish knowledge building and capacity development while using a research process. Students will engage a wholistic Indigenous Research paradigm which seeks multiple intersecting sources of information within communities around issues which are considered by the community as vital to their understanding of given phenomenon. This research will be empowering to Indigenous populations and be an expression of decolonization processes.
- letter grade
Registration Status: IFSFT
- Section 1: May 4-9, 2025
Registration Status: FNTI Yr 2
- Section 2: May 4-9, 2025, Tina Armstrong
Description
This course will enable students to express their own understanding of the wholistic Indigenous healing process, which they will carry into practice. They will present themselves to Elders and the community of scholars for presentation and affirmation of their capacity to facilitate such processes; whether at the individual, family (group), community, or policy level. Their capacity to undertake Circle processes will also be examined.
- Graded on a P/F basis
Registration Status: IFSFT
- Section FIC
Registration Status: KT Yr 1
- Section PIC
Description
A supervised field experience designed to develop competence pertinent to social work practice in the student's chosen area of concentration (29 weeks).
- Graded on a S/F basis