INDG 1000U – Introduction to Indigenous Studies: Colonial History and its Impacts on Indigenous Peoples

A brief overview of Indigenous peoples’ worldviews and histories prior to colonization centres this course in relation to the events of colonization. Crucial underpinnings, including the Doctrine of Discovery, the Royal Proclamation and the Indian Act, are explored. Stereotypes and myths about Indigenous peoples are analyzed in how they intersect with colonial narratives. Indigenous resistance and survivance in the face of genocide bring the strengths of Indigenous peoples and the wisdom of their cultures back to the centre. Indigenous pedagogies, experiential and self-reflexive learning and anti-racist approaches foster the development of respectful relationships and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, both at Ontario Tech and in students’ future careers.
Credit hours: 3.0
Lecture hours: 3.0
Experiential learning: Yes