Course overview
- The aim: to explore the different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous peoples in Canada, from Indigenous worldviews, the fur trade, treaties, legal systems, political activism, through to contemporary life, art, and expression.
- Format & workload:
- Delivery is fully online. University of Alberta+1
- Level: Beginner (i.e., suitable if you’re not already in Indigenous Studies) and meant for students outside the Faculty of Native Studies.
- Time commitment: approx 2–3 hours per week over 12 weeks.
- Structure: Each module (lesson) consists of: video lectures, readings (required & recommended), and assignments/quizzes. Example: Module 1 has ~51 minutes of video + ~20 minutes reading + ~10 minutes quiz.
- Topics include (among others): Indigenous worldviews and storytelling; pre-contact trade and the fur trade; treaties and Indigenous-settler relations; the Indian Act and assimilation policies; urbanization and Indigenous identity; Indigenous political activism; land, rights, environmental impacts. Class Central+1
- Skills you’ll gain: Land management, storytelling, cultural diversity, community development, intercultural competence, governance, social justice, etc.
- Extra: The course may also be taken for credit by U of A students (as NS 201).
Cost / Certificate options
- You can audit the course for free, meaning you can access the video lectures and many materials without paying.
- If you want a certificate of completion (a shareable credential) then there is a fee.
- Note: The exact fee can vary depending on currency, promotions, or whether you are using Coursera’s subscription model, so you should check the current cost when you register.
Why this course might be useful for you
- This course gives a foundational framework in Indigenous histories and perspectives in Canada which can enrich your resource-development work.
- It offers insight from Indigenous perspectives (not just settler narratives), which can help ensure the materials you develop are culturally grounded and informed.
- The modules are fairly short (2-3 hours/week) which makes it accessible alongside other commitments.
- Being able to audit for free means you can access the content and decide later if you need the certificate.