Indigenous Studies   

This course is intended for students who want to familiarize themselves with Indigenous worldviews.  It will allow participants to learn from Indigenous people to dispel stereotypes, myths and explore the historic and contemporary representations of Indigenous peoples of Canada.  Using the Medicine Wheel to incorporate Indigenous  ways of knowing, we will examine the important and significance of Land, Identify, Education and Health to Indigenous people.  We will identify and discuss major events in Canada that have lead to the issues facing Indigenous people today and build knowledge and skills to interact in a mutually respectful way with Indigenous peoples in our communities and workplaces. 

This course provides students with introductory knowledge about diverse populations, faiths and cultures. In the context of law enforcement, students will be provided tips on dealing with various victimized persons and the mentally ill. Basic concepts such as culture, ethnicity, race, and discrimination are explored with a view to preventing racial profiling. Students are exposed to societal factors that contribute to crime or stereotypes among various populations. Students will reinforce concepts surrounding community policing in the context of diversity. Laws which influence the protection or discrimination of various communities are also explored. Students will be provided introductory knowledge about First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples. Topics include history, socio-economic issues, beliefs, treaties, residential schools and the criminal justice system. Textbook Required.

Will increase knowledge and awareness of important issues in the Aboriginal cultures of Canada. The legal status of Aboriginal People will be explored along with Aboriginal rights and self-determination. Other critical issues relating to land claims, justice and social services will be studied. Prerequisite: Word processing skills and ability to use internet. Textbook required.

This course provides an overview of the historic stages of the relationship between Indigenous peoples in Canada from contact to present day. It will explore the different world views at contact, the years of cooperation and negotiation through the fur trade and treaty making era and the impact of government colonial policy on Indigenous nations. The course will also explore the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal rights which provide an important context for understanding contemporary issues between Indigenous and Canadian societies including land claims, treaties and self-government. No textbook required.

This course will require students to experience and explore Indigenous cosmology(s), knowledge(s) and word view(s) as it relates to the land. The influence of land on Indigenous worldview(s) will provide a way of understanding contemporary perspectives of identity and self-determination. In addition, students will be encouraged to examine and locate their own identity and world view in relation to these concepts.

No textbook required.

*NOTE: Students wanting to register for a General Education course as part of their certificate or diploma program should make sure to receive formal approval from their Program Coordinator. It should be noted that some general education courses are too close to the vocational specializations of specific programs and are therefore excluded as an option for students. It’s therefore important to receive formal approval before registration.

This course will examine contemporary issues relevant to Indigenous peoples around the globe. The course will begin by exploring patterns and themes of Indigenous histories, including the varying impact of European colonialism and settlement. Central to this study is an analysis of land claims settlement issues, the quest for self-government, housing, education, culture, health and various environmental and social issues that Indigenous peoples are facing. The course will move to focus on the contemporary revitalization, repatriation and preservation methods employed by Indigenous peoples and governments around the world. This method of inquiry will afford the opportunity to compare the challenges and aspirations faced by diverse Indigenous communities. No textbook required.

This course introduces the historical, sociological and political perspectives on the origins of the Ontario Metis people.  The course analyzes, in broad terms, the emergence of the Metis peoples and their relationship with the provincial government.  We will also explore trends and issues affecting the Ontario Metis in contemporary society. No Textbook Required.