Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - INDG 286 B100

Indigenous Peoples and British Columbia: An Introduction (3)

Class Number: 4999

Delivery Method: Blended

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Oct 11, 2024: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Oct 16 – Dec 3, 2024: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Recommended: INDG 101.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Study of Indigenous peoples of BC and effects of historical and political processes on their livelihoods and homelands. Overview of indigeneity and connection to urbanization. Examines linguistic diversity and endangered state of BC First Nations languages; Indigenous ethnography; land rights movement; traditional cultural practices/beliefs; and social, educational and economic disparity. Students with credit for FNST 286 or SA 286 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Delivered through a Tákem Nsnekwnúkw7a* pedagogy, this course is an engagement with First Peoples’ approaches to being in harmony with *all my relations as the motivating factor behind knowledge seeking processes. We will learn from the protocols and practices of the rich diversity of Nations in what is now known as British Columbia, through considering First Peoples’ relationships with their lands and helper beings, their languages, and responsibilities. We will do so in a manner that mitigates the ‘power of culture’ that tends to motivate investigations like these by focusing our attention on the processes, protocols, and intentions of Indigenous pedagogies namely; story, reciprocity, and respectful relationship building, among others. Utilizing an Indigenist paradigm, we will learn together through comparing, contrasting, and making connections in our surveys of seminal reports, current research, stories, and ethnographic resources.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students will:
- decolonize their persepectives of maps and map making
- come to know the Lands commonly known as "BC" through the lenses of First Peoples' values, protocols, and processes
- engage with local Indigenous Knowledges to expand understandings of what it means to be in relation to First Peoples and First Peoples' homelands and
  Helper Beings in respectful, responsible, and reciprocating ways
- understand and practice positioning themselves on Indigenous homelands

Grading

  • Decolonizing Maps of "BC" (Small group Assignment & presentation) 10%
  • 4 Canvas Administered Quizzes (x 10% each) 40%
  • Indigenist Autoethnography Sharing Circle 5%
  • Indigenist Autoethnography Term Paper 20%
  • Discussions engagement 25%

REQUIREMENTS:

First day attendance: Students not present on the first day of INDG 286 will be considered to have relinquished their seat to students on the waitlist who do attend the first class with hopes of being able to enrol in the course.

By enrolling in this course, you are confirming that you have the technology, space, and stable internet required to access in Canvas narrated lecture slides, assigned readings, quizzes, and small group collaborations via google docs, etc. We meet in person in the classroom on Tuesdays from 12:30-2:00 and the remaining 1.5 hours of weekly class time is used for asynchronous review of lectures and assigned readings and videos. On campus classtimes will be used for discussions based on the assigned lectures, videos, and readings, for group work/research/presentations, and for the Indigenist Autoethnography Sharing Circle.

Particiation in and contributions to in-class discussions makes up 25% of the INDG 286 grade, so students must complete all assigned content prior to coming to class. This portion of the grade is all about being present, building a collaborative and supportive community of respectful knowledge seeking and sharing toward reconciling how we learn and act on Indigenous lands. This requires student attendance and this grade cannot be made up in any other way. 2 points will be deducted for each absence from the Discussions Engagement grade as students that are not attending can not contribute or ask questions in these important teaching and learning discussions. This is to encourage student attendance and commitement to the group that is required to experience Úcwalmicw pedagogies that center on relationships and community building in the knowledge seeking, making, and sharing processes. 

Please have a gmail email account prior to the first class to facilitate your engagment in small group collaborations.

 

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

All readings will be provided by the instructor and are available via SFU CANVAS and/or provided in-class as needed.
Narrated lectures and other course materials will also be provided in Canvas.

REQUIRED READING:

Please see weekly modules in Canvas to access asynchronous lecture materials, assigned readings, and videos to be completed prior to the weekly on campus class.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.