The Plans in Indigenous Knowledges and Perspectives (formerly known as 'Indigenous Studies') are interdisciplinary, designed to draw together a range of course offerings on Indigenous history, culture, experience, language and ways of knowing from 14 departments within Arts and Science.
This Plan will give both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students the opportunity to immerse themselves in Indigenous history and culture, to ensure that future leaders and policymakers have a solid foundation in the histories of First Nations, M茅tis and Inuit Peoples. Students expand their knowledge and understanding of Indigenous cultures, while developing professional skills such as innovative Indigenous approaches to learning and research, in order to work with Indigenous communities.
Students develop a broad interdisciplinary knowledge base on Indigenous cultures, spirituality, social systems, history, language, and contemporary issues, which is a sought-after quality in careers in Education, Law, Business, Policy and Governance or Advocacy and Social Services.
Major in Indigenous Knowledges and Perspectives
The Plan, alone, or in combination with a Minor in another subject, and with sufficient electives to total 120.0 units, will lead to a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree.
The core objectives of the Major in Indigenous Knowledges and Perspectives are to provide students with core knowledge of the histories and cultures of Indigenous peoples in Canada and globally; ensure that students develop skills to work with Indigenous knowledge systems and Indigenous methodologies, framed through Indigenous pedagogies and learning practices; introduce students to Indigenous worldviews, histories, geographies, law, politics, education, spirituality, and art, as well as concepts of colonization, decolonization, and Indigenous-settler relations; engage students in land-based learning; and to introduce students to local Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe communities.
Please refer to the Faculty of Arts and Science's Academic Calendar for details about the INDG Major's requirements.
Joint Honours in Indigenous Knowledges and Perspectives
The Joint Honours (formerly referred to as a Medial) in Indigenous Knowledges and Perspectives consists of 42.0 units as described below. The Plan, in combination with a Joint Honours Plan in another subject, and with sufficient electives to total 120.0 units, will lead to a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree.
The Joint Honours Plan has been discontinued, as of May 01, 2025 - meaning that students can no longer choose it as an Academic Plan to pursue. However, students who are already enrolled in the Joint Honours can remain in it until completion of their degree - please refer to the 2024-25 Faculty of Arts and Science's Academic Calendar for details about the INDG Joint Honours' requirements.
Minor in Indigenous Knowledges and Perspectives
Plan consists of 24.0 units as described in the INDG Minor's requirements section of the Faculty of Arts and Science's Academic Calendar.
The Plan, in combination with a Major Plan in another subject and with sufficient electives, will lead to an Honours Bachelors Degree.
The core courses of the Plans in Indigenous Knowledges and Perspectives provide students with core knowledge of the histories and cultures of Indigenous peoples in Canada and globally. They will introduce students to Indigenous worldviews, histories, geographies, politics, education, spirituality and art, as well concepts of colonization, decolonization and Indigenous-settler relations. Option courses deepen and broaden students' understanding of Indigenous Knowledge systems through a wide variety of courses from various disciplines.
INDG BA General
The Plan consists of 30.0 units as described in the INDG BA General's requirements section of the Faculty of Arts and Science's Academic Calendar.
The core courses of the Plans in Indigenous Knowledges and Perspectives provide students with core knowledge of the histories and cultures of Indigenous peoples in Canada and globally. They will introduce students to Indigenous worldviews, histories, geographies, politics, education, spirituality and art, as well concepts of colonization, decolonization and Indigenous-settler relations. Option courses deepen and broaden students' understanding of Indigenous Knowledge systems through a wide variety of courses from various disciplines.