Indigenous Canada

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/indigenous-canada

Introduction

**Course Review: Indigenous Canada on Coursera** **Overview** The Coursera course “Indigenous Canada,” offered by the Faculty of Native Studies, is an in-depth, 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) designed to educate learners on the diverse histories and perspectives of Indigenous peoples across Canada. It provides a critical and historical context for understanding the current experiences of Indigenous communities, addressing complex relationships between Indigenous peoples and settlers. This course is ideal for anyone interested in Indigenous studies, history, or social justice, as it covers a broad range of topics related to Indigenous experiences from pre-contact trading systems to contemporary social movements. Each lesson is structured thoughtfully to provide not only historical facts but also Indigenous perspectives, allowing students to engage with the material on a deeper level. **Curriculum Breakdown** 1. **Worldview** - The course begins by emphasizing the importance of stories in Indigenous cultures. It explores distinct worldviews from various Indigenous peoples, such as the Inuit and Tlingit, setting an essential foundation for understanding subsequent lessons. 2. **Fur Trade** - Here, students learn about pre-contact trading systems and how European contact reshaped Indigenous social, political, and economic structures during the fur trade era. This lesson highlights the lasting impacts of these historical events on Indigenous communities. 3. **Trick or Treaty** - This module dives into the treaty-making process, examining perspectives from both Indigenous and settler viewpoints. Students gain insights into the historical context surrounding significant treaties, further enhancing their understanding of the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the Canadian government. 4. **New Rules, New Game** - Students explore Indigenous legal traditions, focusing on the ramifications of colonial policies, specifically the Indian Act and its role in assimilation efforts. 5. **“Killing the Indian in the Child”** - This powerful lesson discusses the impacts of the Residential school system, emphasizing the intergenerational trauma it inflicted on Indigenous communities and the subsequent formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. 6. **A Modern Indian?** - This module examines resistance and the emergence of Indigenous-led organizations in response to government assimilation strategies, particularly in urban settings. 7. **Red Power** - Students learn about Indigenous political structures and the effects of colonialism, with discussions on self-determination and Indigenous resurgence movements. 8. **Sovereign Lands** - This lesson connects traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary issues surrounding land rights and the ongoing threats faced by Indigenous territories. 9. **Indigenous Women** - Exploring traditional roles and the gendered effects of colonization, this module addresses the unique challenges Indigenous women face in modern society. 10. **Indigenous in the City** - A critical examination of urban Indigenous experiences, this lesson explores how cities can be sites of both cultural decline and vibrant community engagement. 11. **Current Social Movements** - Highlighting grassroots activism, such as the Oka Crisis and Idle No More, this module looks at how Indigenous communities mobilize for social and environmental justice. 12. **‘Living’ Traditions – Expressions in Pop Culture and Art** - The course concludes with an exploration of Indigenous art and culture, examining both historical influences and contemporary expressions shaped by colonial legacies. **Recommendation** I highly recommend the “Indigenous Canada” course for anyone seeking a nuanced understanding of Indigenous histories and contemporary issues. The course is expertly designed to foster critical thinking and respect for Indigenous perspectives, making it a valuable resource for students, educators, and anyone interested in social justice or historical awareness. Each module is engaging, with informative videos, readings, and quizzes that encourage active participation and reflection. The inclusion of personal narratives and testimonies enriches the learning experience, allowing students to make meaningful connections between the historical material and current realities. Whether you are new to the topic or looking to deepen your existing knowledge, this course is an essential and impactful step towards understanding the complexities of Indigenous life in Canada. Enroll today and take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn from Indigenous scholars and gain a new perspective on the rich tapestry of Canada’s history and its peoples.

Syllabus

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.