ID/SOJE 120 BR1

INTRODUCTION TO INDIGENOUS STUDIES

Fall 2020

Lectures: Tuesday and Thursday 2:30-3:50

Location: Remotely online
Instructor: Darren Thomas
Contact information: (519) 756-8228 x 5773; [email protected]
Office hours: By appointment only
Teaching Assistant: Sarah Hannaford
TA contact: [email protected]
Office hours: By appointment only
First Year Coach: Shailyn Harris
FYC contact: [email protected]
Office hours: By appointment only

Territorial Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabe and
Haudenosaunee peoples.

Course Description:

This course introduces students to Indigenous Studies. The course will focus on Indigenous
peoples in Canada, examining their cultural histories and contemporary social, political, and
environmental contexts. The main goal of the course is to create an informed awareness of the
past and contemporary situation of the Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Course Objectives:
1. To introduce students to Indigenous perspectives, histories, and cultures
2. To challenge stereotypes of contemporary Indigenous peoples from a knowledgeable
perspective
3. To write a critical reflection

Contact Information for Campus Librarian and Centre for Student Success Director:
Irene Tencinger Jenna Olender
Campus Librarian Manager, Centre for Student Success
Lower Level, Grand River Hall Market Place
519-756-2220 x. 350 519-756-8228, x. 5736
[email protected] [email protected]

1
 COURSE DELIVERY

Because this is new for all of us and would normally be in person, I drafted this plan to deliver
this course remotely. This course will comprise of a blend of asynchronous and synchronous
instruction on the WLU MyLearningSpace (MyLS) platform and through Zoom. Please become
familiar with both. Shailyn Harris is our First Year Coach for this fall term and will offer
assistance with any technical and navigational support.

My Learning Space (https://mylearningspace.wlu.ca/d2l/home)

To learn how to use MyLS watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To4ZQRlW9WE

Zoom Meetings
A class Zoom meeting will be created for the class to check in with the professor about the
lecture content and reading assignments each week. These are not mandatory to attend, however
they will NOT be recorded. You can locate this under the “Zoom Meetings” tab on MyLS.

Asynchronous Instruction
Each week two brief lectures will be posted to cover the content in the course outline. These will
be available to view on MyLS asynchronously. Most weeks this will entail a PowerPoint
presentation embedded with an audio file, but there will also be videos, and course readings to
complete as part of your required learning. All PowerPoint presentations are the exclusive
intellectual property of Darren Thomas, and if you are found to be using this material to post
elsewhere you will be in violation of 4.02.09 the WLU student code of conduct.
https://www.wlu.ca/about/governance/assets/resources/12.2-student-code-of-conduct.html

Synchronous Instruction
During what would have been our normal scheduled class times (Tues-Thurs 2:30), I will host a
Zoom chat for students that would like to go over any content in the readings and lecture, and to
answer any questions.

**This is a proposed plan, and we can adjust accordingly depending how the term progresses.

Coursework
All tests will be completed on MyLS with the Respondus software and Lockdown Browser. This
will require that you have access to a computer and a webcam to complete the quizzes, midterm,
and final exam. The written reflection assignment will be required to be submitted to the
dropbox on MyLS.

COURSE MATERIALS

Course Text:
This is a mandatory course text, but it is available to read for free online through the WLU
library.
Vowel, C. (2016). Indigenous writes: A guide to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit issues in
Canada. Portage & Main Press.
2
These are additional supplementary course readings:
These journal articles and book chapters will be located on MyLearningSpace under “Course
Reserves.”

Anderson, Kim. (2011). Life Stages and Native Women: Memory, Teachings, and Story
Medicine. University of Manitoba Press, Winnipeg. – Conclusion, pp. 161-179.

Blackstock, Cindy. (2007). Residential schools: Did they really close or just morph into child
welfare. Indigenous Law Journal, 6, 71.

Haida Nation (2009) KUNST’AA GUU – KUNST’AAYAH Reconciliation Protocol.

http://www.haidanation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Kunstaa-
guu_Kunstaayah_Agreement.pdf

Haida Nation (2014) Constitution of the Haida Nation.

http://www.haidanation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Constitution-2017-05.pdf

Harper, A. O. (2006). Is Canada peaceful and safe for aboriginal women?. Canadian Woman
Studies, 25(1).

Hart, M. (1999). Seeking Minopimatasiwin (the Good Life): An Aboriginal approach to social
work practice. Native Social Work Journal, 2, 91-112.

Hill, S. (2009) Conducting Haudenosaunee Historical Research from Home: In the Shadow of
the Six Nations-Caledonia Reclamation. American Indian Quarterly 33: 479-498.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Nasivvik Centre for Inuit Health and Changing Environments at
Université Laval and the Ajunnginiq Centre at the National Aboriginal Health
Organization. (2005) Unikkaaqatigiit: Putting the Human Face on Climate Change. –
“Community Response and Adaptation to Environmental Change” pp. 100-118.
http://www.naho.ca/documents/it/2005_Pre-release-Unikkaaqatigiit.pdf

Newhouse, D. (2008) Ganigonhi:oh: The Good Mind Meets the Academy. Canadian Journal of
Native Education 31:184-197.

United Nations. (2007). United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous

Peoples.(UNDRIP) www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/DRIPS_en.pdf

Warrick, G. (2012) Buried Stories: Archaeology and Aboriginal Peoples of the Grand River,
Ontario. Journal of Canadian Studies 46(2): 153-177.

EVALUATIONS

Critical Reflection 25%

3
 Mid-Term test 25%
Quizzes 20%
Final Exam 30%

ASSIGNMENTS

Virtual Tour of the former Mohawk Institute and Self-Critical Reflection Assignment 25%
We will be watching a virtual tour of the former Indian Residential School, now the Woodlands
Cultural Centre in Brantford. This is scheduled during class time on October 8, 2020 via
ZOOM and must be viewed synchronously together. A self-critical reflection, worth 25% of
the course grade, will be written after viewing the virtual tour. We will discuss and go through
the expectations for this assignment in lecture. The reflection will be two-three pages (750-1000
words) and must be deposited in a word file format into the MyLS dropbox by 11:59 October
22, 2020. This must be written in APA format 7th Edition format.

Quizzes
There will be five short quizzes (based directly on the readings and lectures), administered
online, you will have 25 minutes to complete the quiz and each one will be worth 5%. Your best
four scores will be used to calculate the 20% of your final grade. For the quizzes I will provide
you with eight short answer questions, in which you will have to answer five.

Mid-term Exam
There will be a mid-term test on Oct 27th, 2020 during scheduled class time. It will be sixty
minutes in length and worth 25% of your course grade. The test will be a mix of multiple choice
and short answer questions.

Final Exam
There will be a final exam scheduled during the normal final examination period Dec 12-23,
2020. It will be ninety minutes in length and is worth 30% of your final grade. The test will
have a combination of true and false and short essay questions. Final exam dates are set
approximately mid-November by the university.

EXPECTATIONS

Self-directed learning is difficult, it is your responsibility to manage your time and learning. I
expect you to be responsible to know all material from the lectures and the associated readings.
You should take notes from the slides, lectures, and readings.

Writing Support
Here are some links to assist you with your writing skills and proper formatting for our reflection
assignment.

Use the Online writing lab at Purdue University for a great online resource:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_style_introduction.html
4
Or the WLU Learning Skills and Development:
https://students.wlu.ca/academics/support-and-advising/writing-support/resources/index.html

Citing Sources Successfully Workshop

https://students.wlu.ca/academics/support-and-advising/writing-support/workshops.html

Email Communications
Please use my WLU email address: [email protected] NOT MyLearningSpace. Email should
be used to arrange an appointment, this can be done over the phone or via Zoom.

Policy on Late Submission of Assignments

Late penalties will apply on all written work that is submitted after the deadline, except in cases
of just cause (e.g. bereavement, serious illness). The penalty is set at 5% per day including
weekends. Late assignments or research papers will not be accepted more than one week after
the submission deadline. If you are going to miss a quiz or a submission deadline, please contact
me to discuss opportunities to make up your missed work.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

NOTE 1: All PowerPoint presentations are the exclusive intellectual property of Darren
Thomas, and if you are found to be using this material to post elsewhere you will be in violation
of 4.02.09 the WLU student code of conduct.
https://www.wlu.ca/about/governance/assets/resources/12.2-student-code-of-conduct.html

4.02.09 Distribution of faculty intellectual property (as defined in Article

36.1.3 of the Collective Agreement for Full-Time Faculty and Professional
Librarians and Article 20.1.3 of the Collective Agreement for Part-Time
Contract Teaching Faculty and Part-Time Librarians), either independently or
through a third party, without the consent of the instructor/author.

NOTE 2: Academic Integrity/Misconduct (cheating): Laurier is committed to a culture of

integrity within and beyond the classroom. This culture values trustworthiness (i.e., honesty,
integrity, reliability), fairness, caring, respect, responsibility, and citizenship. Together, we have
a shared responsibility to uphold this culture in our academic and non-academic behaviour. The
University has a defined policy with respect to academic misconduct. You are responsible for
familiarizing yourself with this policy and the penalty guidelines, and are cautioned that in
addition to failure in a course, a student may be suspended or expelled from the University for
academic misconduct and the offence may appear on their transcript. The relevant policy can be
found at Laurier's academic integrity website along with resources to educate and support you in
upholding a culture of integrity. Ignorance of Laurier’s academic misconduct policy is not a
defense. https://students.wlu.ca/academics/academic-integrity/index.html

NOTE 3: Students with special needs are advised to contact Laurier’s Accessible Learning
5
Office for information regarding its services and resources. Students are encouraged to review
the Academic Calendar https://students.wlu.ca/academics/calendars-and-policies/index.html for
information regarding all services available on campus.

Understanding Plagiarism Video and Quiz:

• http://library.wlu.ca/help/tutorials/understanding-plagiarism
• https://library.wlu.ca/plagiarism-request
FLA Associate Dean:
• [email protected]

BRANTFORD STUDENT RESOURCES

• Brantford Student Food Bank: All students are eligible to use this service to ensure
they are eating healthy when overwhelmed, stressed, or financially strained.
Anonymously request a package online 24-7. All dietary restrictions accommodated.
• Brantford Foot Patrol: 519-751-PTRL (7875). A volunteer operated safe-walk
program, available Fall and Winter, Monday through Thursday from 6:30 pm to 1 am;
Friday through Sunday 6:30 pm to 11 pm. Teams of two are assigned to escort
students to and from campus by foot or by van.
• Brantford Wellness Centre: 519-756-8228, x 5803. Students have access to support
for all their physical, emotional, and mental health needs at the Wellness Centre.
Location: Student Centre, 2nd floor. Hours: 8:30 am to 4:15 pm Monday through
Friday. After hours crisis support available 24/7. Call 1-884-437-3247 (HERE247).

COURSE OUTLINE

ID/SOJE-120-BR1 INTRODUCTION TO INDIGENOUS STUDIES

LECTURE SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNED READINGS

Date Topic Readings
Sept 10,
Welcome and Introduction
2020
Sept 15,
Indigenous Peoples in Canada Vowel Chapters 1 & 2
2020
Sept 17,
Dominant narratives Vowel Chapters 15, 16, 17
2020
Sept 22, Indigenous and Western Ways of Knowing and Newhouse 2008
2020 Being Vowel Chapter 10
Sept 24, The Land Hill 2009
2020 QUIZ #1 Vowel Chapter 7

6
 Sept 29,
Treaties and Treaty Peoples Vowel Chapters 26, 27
2020
Oct 1, 2020 Racism, Assimilation, and the Indian Act Vowel Chapters 13, 14
Oct 6, 2020 Virtual Tour Vowel Chapter 20, 21
Indigenous Identity and Stereotypes
Oct 8, 2020 Vowel Chapters 3, 8
QUIZ #2
Oct 12-16, READING WEEK
2020 NO CLASSES
Oct 20, 2020 Indigenous health and Well-being part I Hart 1999
Indigenous health and Well-being part II
Midterm Review Kim Anderson 2011 – pp.
Oct 22, 2020
CRITICAL REFLECTION DUE in dropbox 161-179
by 11:59pm
Oct 27,
Midterm
2020
Harper 2006
Oct 29, 2020 Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women
Vowel Chapter 12
Warrick 2012
Nov 3, 2020 Protecting Indigenous Heritage
Vowel Chapter 9
The Métis
Nov 5, 2020 Vowel Chapter 4
QUIZ #3
Nov 10,
Indigenous Rights and Political Struggle Vowel Chapter 25, 28
2020
Nov 12, UNDRIP 2007
Indigenous Nations and Self-Government
2020 Haida Nation 2009, 2014
Nov 17,
Indigenous Child Welfare Blackstock 2007
2020
Nov 19, Education Battiste 2000
2020 QUIZ #4 Vowel Chapter 31
Nov 24,
Economic Development Vowel Chapter 23
2020
Nov 26,
Environmental Issues Vowel Chapter 24
2020
Dec 1, 2020 Inuit and Climate Change Vowel Chapters 5, 6, 22
Urban Indigenous People
Dec 3, 2020 Vowel Chapter 29
Quiz #5
Dec 8, 2020 Review for final exam