Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2026 - INDG 101 BLS1

Introduction to Indigenous Studies (3)

Class Number: 4193

Delivery Method: Blended

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jun 22 – Jul 31, 2026: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Surrey

    Jun 22 – Jul 31, 2026: TBA, TBA
    Surrey

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces the nature and goals of Indigenous Studies as an academic discipline that emphasizes cultures and homelands of First Peoples. Students with credit for FNST 101 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is fully online. Students are required to attend the online synchronous classes each week and contribute asynchronously.

INDG101 is an introductory course that serves to provide students with a foundational understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, and contemporary issues. Students will learn to recognize and understand the diversities of cultures, languages, protocols and practices, as well as learning to analyze important legal definitions, laws, and policies affecting Indigenous Peoples. We will discuss the impacts that contact/colonization had/have on Indigenous Peoples and the actions that Indigenous Peoples have, and continue to take, to ensure Indigenous survivance and futurity.

Class lectures are structured to include various themes, such as:

  • Colonialism and settler colonialism
  • Historical and contemporary legislation and policies
  • Indigenous Sovereignty, Aboriginal Title, Aboriginal Rights
  • Indigenous Aesthetic Expressions
  • Oral Traditions, the Work of Stories
  • Food Security, Traditional practices and relationships
  • Indigenous resistance and Direct Action

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

INDG101 is an introductory course that serves to provide students with a foundational understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, and contemporary issues. Students will learn to recognize and understand the diversities of cultures, languages, protocols and practices, as well as learning to analyze important legal definitions, laws, and policies affecting Indigenous Peoples. We will discuss the impacts that contact/colonization had/have on Indigenous Peoples and the actions that Indigenous Peoples have, and continue to take, to ensure Indigenous survivance and futurity.

Class lectures are structured to include various themes, such as:

  • Colonialism and settler colonialism
  • Historical and contemporary legislation and policies
  • Indigenous Sovereignty, Aboriginal Title, Aboriginal Rights
  • Indigenous Aesthetic Expressions
  • Oral Traditions, the Work of Stories
  • Food Security, Traditional practices and relationships
  • Indigenous resistance and Direct Action

Grading

  • Small Group Code of Conduct & Personal Reflection 10%
  • Positionality Statement 5%
  • Knowledge Check-In quiz (4 x 10%) 40%
  • Discussion Postings 15%
  • Final Paper 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All required course materials, such as articles, videos, web pages, or other media, will be available on Canvas or accessible through the SFU Library website.

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.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Health and Well-Being Supports for Indigenous Studies students
The Indigenous Student Centre has various different supports available to students to ensure their health and well-being.  Please visit their website to see what is available: https://www.sfu.ca/students/indigenous/wellness.html. 

NOTE re AI
Please note that submissions that employ generative AI tools in this course (for idea generation or other purposes) are not accepted by the Department. Your grade in this course is meant to reflect your personal engagement with course materials. If you are ever unsure about your instructor's stance on generative AI, please be sure to ask before submitting work using these tools: "If you are unsure, you must not assume that using generative AI is permitted." - SFU Academic Integrity
Those who employ these tools in their course submissions may face disciplinary action in accordance with SFU's academic integrity policies. https://www.sfu.ca/students/enrolment-services/academic-integrity/using-generative-ai.html

COPYRIGHT
Materials included in this course, unless otherwise stated, have been created by the Instructor, and reproducing or using this material outside of this course is not permitted unless written consent has been provided by the owner of this material. The course-based Canvas page and its related resources are maintained and developed by the Instructor for the use of the students registered to take this course. Course materials such as PowerPoint slides, lecture notes, the lecture itself and exams are all protected by copyright. Recording, copying or sharing these materials without permission may be a violation of Canadian copyright law and SFU policies. What does this mean? It means that you are legally not permitted to circulate the course materials to any other entity without explicit permission from the course author.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


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.