First Nations Studies
Through First Nations Studies courses and courses from other disciplines, the program provides in-depth knowledge of Aboriginal and Indigenous issues including First Nations cultures and Indigenous knowledge, historical contexts, natural and cultural resource management, and legal and public policy issues. Learners engage in dialogue and discussion around these issues and evaluate them, considering Aboriginal perspectives. This program is comprised of at least 30 units of upper division or graduate level courses.
¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Requirements
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Students can apply for entry in the fall, spring or summer terms. Consult with the First Nations Studies advisor for admission deadlines.
Program Requirements
The post baccalaureate diploma (PBD) program can be completed through full-time or part-time study. Upon University admission, students must be approved for entry and must complete a PBD course plan. Completion is expected within two or three years, to a maximum of five years, with a 2.5 GPA in all diploma courses. Transfer credit may be approved if it meets the program requirements, and at least 18 of the 30 required units are completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV. Transfer credit application must be initiated at the time of University application. Credit applied to this program may not be applied to another ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV certificate, diploma or degree, or vice-versa. Students should plan their program in consultation with the First Nations Studies advisor.
Prerequisite Courses
Students complete both of
Introduces the nature and goals of First Nations Studies as an academic discipline that emphasizes cultures and homelands of First Peoples. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
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Distance Education | |||
Maddie Knickerbocker |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Tue, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
An examination of fact and ideology in history and historic events involving contact between Aboriginal and European peoples. The course will also address questions of research methodologies in studying Aboriginal/European relations, such as the evaluation of oral history and written ethnohistoric sources. An additional focus will be on gender as it influences perspectives. Writing/Breadth-Social Sci.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Distance Education | |||
Maddie Knickerbocker |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Core Courses
Students complete all of
An examination of First Nations and Aboriginal peoples' perspectives on political, social and legal issues involving their rights as first citizens of Canada and North America, and the practical and political relations with various levels of government. Issues examined include: Aboriginal rights and title questions, self government models and concepts, constitutional matters, the impact of federal government policies, including their impact on women's lives, and Aboriginal community and First Nations politics. Prerequisite: FNST 101 and 201W. Recommended: POL 221.
Style and content of Aboriginal people's discourse about their culture, world view, history and matters affecting their lives. Includes the analysis of selections from Aboriginal oral literature, autobiography, expository writing, modern poetry and fiction. Prerequisite: 60 units and one of FNST 101 or FNST 201W. Students with credit for FNST 402 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
This course explores the subject of traditional Indigenous knowledge and its contemporary implications for First Nations programs in such areas as economic development, ecotourism, spiritualism, language retention, biodiversity, ethnoscience, environmentalism, and heritage conservation. First Nations perspectives on patents, copyrights, and other creative products from traditional culture will also be examined through lecture, guest speakers and seminar presentation. Prerequisite: FNST 101 or FNST 201W.
Additional Electives
The remaining 18 elective units will be chosen by completing additional units chosen from:
Variable units 3, 4, 5. Prerequisite: Will vary according to the topic.
Examines selected themes in the history of Aboriginal peoples of North America from first contact with Europeans to the mid-nineteenth century. Prerequisite: 45 units including FNST 101 or 201W. Students with credit for HIST 325 may not take this course for further credit.
Examines selected themes in the history of Aboriginal peoples of North America from first contact with Europeans to the mid-nineteenth century. Prerequisite: 45 units, including six units of lower division history. Students with credit for FNST 325 may not take this course for further credit.
Examines selected themes in the history of Aboriginal peoples of North America in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Prerequisite: 45 units including FNST 101 or 201W. Students with credit for HIST 326 may not take this course for further credit.
Examines selected themes in the history of Aboriginal peoples of North America in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Prerequisite: 45 units, including six units of lower division history. Students with credit for FNST 326 may not take this course for further credit.
Themes and issues relating to the historical and contemporary experiences of Aboriginal women in Canada: Indigenous theories of gender; evolution and political function of stereotypes of Indigenous women in Canada; history of Canadian legislation regulating indigenous identity; relevance of feminist analysis; and history of activism. Prerequisite: 45 units. Students who have taken FNST 322 under this topic may not take this course for further credit. FNST 327 and GSWS 327 (or WS 327) are identical and students may not take both courses for credit.
Themes and issues relating to the historical and contemporary experiences of aboriginal women in Canada: Indigenous theories of gender; evolution and political function of stereotypes of Indigenous women in Canada; history of Canadian legislation regulating Indigenous identity; relevance of feminist analysis; and history of activism. Prerequisite: 45 units. Students who have taken FNST 322 under this topic may not take this course for further credit. FNST 327 and GSWS 327 (or WS 327) are identical and students may not take both courses for credit.
Examines written works on sexuality and gender including the history of representations of the sexualized savage; the discussion of Indigenous concepts of gender, including discussions of two-spirit versus gay identity; homophobia and sexual violence as tools of colonization; the emancipatory potential of erotica. Prerequisite: 45 units. Students with credit for FNST 322 may not take this course for further credit.
This course is an introduction to the study of plant knowledge and use by First Nations peoples in British Columbia. It provides students with information about the role of plants in First Nations' cultures including such areas as foods, medicines, technology, ceremony, ecological indicators, and within First Nations' knowledge and classification systems. Special focus may be placed on the ethnobotany of one or more Aboriginal groups or culture areas. Prerequisite: FNST 101. Breadth-Science.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
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TBD | |||
Robert Bandringa |
May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Thu, 1:30–7:50 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
Robert Bandringa |
May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Fri, 12:30–6:50 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
TBD |
Examines issues that arise when Aboriginal people must balance economic development and cultural integrity. Topics include self-reflexive internalist research, ethics and best practices in representing Indigenous heritage, public laws and land claim agreements affecting heritage, the exhumation and repatriation of human remains and religious freedom and access to sacred sites and objects. Prerequisite: 45 units or permission of the instructor. Students who have taken FNST 322 previously under this topic may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Examines works of popular fiction by Indigenous authors and their use of specific genres (e.g. the mystery novel, vampire thriller, sci fi, comic book). Prerequisite: 45 units. Students with credit for ENGL 360, or FNST 322 under this topic, may not take this course for further credit.
Examines works of popular fiction by Indigenous authors, and their use of specific genres (e.g. the mystery novel, vampire thriller, sci fi, comic book). Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses. Students who have taken FNST 322 under this topic, or FNST 360 may not take this course for further credit.
Examines various art forms and aesthetic expressions of select Indigenous peoples of the Americas including Aboriginal poetry and poetic forms. A research and creation studio course. Prerequisite: 45 units and permission of instructor; no previous artistic training and/or experience are required. Students with credit for FNST 322 under the topic 'Poetics/Poetry: Bookmaking' or 'Indigenous Expressive Arts' may not take this course for further credit.
Studio seminar with intensive practice through significant weaving projects. Uses diverse techniques (tool making and loom building) and materials such as grasses, tree withes, wool, twine and synthetics to reflect upon ecosystem relevance, sustainability, and cosmology in specific First Nations and Indigenous communities. A minimum of 12 additional hours per week for project work is required. Prerequisite: 45 units including one FNST course and permission of instructor.
Examines various art forms and aesthetic expressions of select Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Reviews techniques and protocols for the gathering and preparation of materials and the use of ethnographic materials, and provides learning through hands-on practice. Prerequisite: 45 units and permission of instructor; no previous artistic training and/or experience is required. Students with credit for FNST 322 under the topic 'Indigenous Expressive Arts' with a focus in crafts may not take this course for further credit.
An in-depth examination of Aboriginal/Indigenous conceptions of justice in dealing with crime and other trouble in Indigenous communities, and in relations among peoples. Prerequisite: FNST 101 or 201W, or CRIM 101, or permission of the instructor. Students with credit for CRIM 416, 418, or 419 may not take this course for further credit.
An in-depth examination of Aboriginal/indigenous conceptions of justice in dealing with crime and other trouble in indigenous communities, and in relations among peoples. Prerequisite: CRIM 101 or FNST 101 or 201 or permission of the instructor. Students with credit for this course as CRIM 416 or 418, or FNST 419, may not take this course for further credit.
An examination of how relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples framed and were framed by the development of international law from the 15th century onward. Prerequisite: FNST 101 or 201W, or CRIM 101, or permission of instructor. Students with credit for CRIM 429, or under CRIM 416 or 418 under the title "Indigenous Peoples and International Law" or "Indigenous Peoples and Evolving International Relations" may not take this course for further credit.
An examination of how relations between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples framed and were framed by the development of international law from the 15th century onward. Prerequisite: CRIM 101 or FNST 101 or 201 or permission of instructor. Students with credit for CRIM 416, or 418 under the title "Indigenous Peoples and International Law" or "Indigenous Peoples and Evolving International Relations", or FNST 429 may not take this course for further credit.
Examines contemporary writings regarding Indigenous environmental logic and environmental concerns of contemporary times. Studies effects of resource extraction upon Indigenous nations, globalization, genetic modifications, health, intellectual property, spiritual beliefs, culture and society, art and language and compares these with specific Indigenous logic at the time of contact. Prerequisite: 45 units.
Intended for advanced learners of a particular First Nations language. Offers advanced vocabulary and/or grammatical skills through individualized practice with fluent speakers (usually elders) of that language. Enrolment requires prior approval of the Department of Linguistics and the local First Nations community. Students will be evaluated on the basis of the individualized goals and objects set at the beginning of the course. Prerequisite: FNLG 332 (or LING 332) or permission of course supervisor. Students who have completed LING 433 for a designated language may not complete this course for further credit for the same designated language.
Offers additional advanced vocabulary and/or grammatical skills in the First Nations language through individualized practice with fluent speakers (usually elders) of that language. Prerequisite: FNLG 433 (or LING 433) or permission of course supervisor. Recommended: FNLG 431 and 432. Students who have completed LING 434 for a designated language may not complete this course for further credit for the same designated language.
Directed readings for upper level students in First Nations Studies who wish to study selected topics in depth. Variable units 2, 3, 4, 5. May be repeated once when topic is different. Prerequisite: Fifteen units in First Nations Studies. Co-requisite: permission of an instructor and department.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
TBD |
Traces the development of legal doctrine pertaining to Aboriginal peoples in Canada and the United States, including its shared roots in British colonial law and policy. Prerequisite: 45 units including FNST 101, 201W and one other FNST course; or permission of the instructor. Students with credit for HIST 443, or HIST 485 or 486 under this topic may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Andrea Geiger |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Traces the development of legal doctrine pertaining to Aboriginal peoples in Canada and the United States, including its shared roots in British colonial law and policy. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history. Students with credit for FNST 443, or HIST 485 or 486 under this topic may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Andrea Geiger |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Directed study for upper level students in a topic chosen in consultation with a supervisor. Explore First Nations topics through research. Variable units: 2, 3, 4, 5. This course may be repeated for credit when topic is different. Prerequisite: Fifteen units of FNST courses; permission of an instructor and department approval. Co-requisite: varies depending on topic.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
TBD |
Examines protocol, theory, responsibility, issues of domain (including inherent rights) involving traditional oral testimony, storytelling, oral narrative in an Aboriginal/Nation-centric canon. Compares Aboriginal canon 'oral record' to Aboriginal individual first-person accounts. Prerequisite: 60 units including FNST 101 or FNST 201W and permission of the instructor.
Structural and genetic characteristics of aboriginal languages of the Americas, with special emphasis on languages of the Northwest. Detailed examination of one language or language family. Prerequisite: 12 upper division linguistics units. Recommended: LING 323.
Detailed examination of the structure of a selected language. Prerequisite: LING 282W; or LING 221 and 222.
Detailed examination of the structure of a selected language. Prerequisite: LING 282W; or LING 221 and 222.
Other courses that have significant First Nations/Aboriginal content may be counted towards this program with First Nations Studies approval.
* only when the topic is an Aboriginal language: preferably in the same language in both courses
†only one of the two courses may be used
†â¶Ä may be completed more than once when offered as a different topic