Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - INDG 419 D100

Aboriginal/Indigenous Justice (3)

Class Number: 3236

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    INDG (or FNST) 101 or 201W, or CRIM 101, or permission of the instructor.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An in-depth examination of Aboriginal/Indigenous conceptions of justice in dealing with crime and other trouble in Indigenous communities, and in relations among peoples. Students with credit for CRIM 416, CRIM 418, CRIM 419, or FNST 419 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

“Justice” in the eyes of Indigenous Peoples is all about relationships, and hence the focus of this course is on the changing nature of the relationship between Indigenous and settler peoples in Canada, and on the management of relations – and trouble -- within Indigenous communities. There are three parts to the course. The first part involves a brief tour through 500 years of post-contact experience and the shifting relations and different policies of those times, both to understand current problems, and to consider possible futures. The second part examines the efforts of Indigenous communities to establish nation-based justice systems within their communities and Canada’s resistance to those efforts.  Finally, a third section considers some of the various venues/means through which Indigenous Peoples in Canada and elsewhere have sought justice in their relations with settler peoples, including (a) the courts; (b) political negotiation; (c) protest and other direct action; (d) governance initiatives; and (e) international fora such as the United Nations.   Please note that this seminar is intended to be highly interactive and has an extensive reading load.  Students also complete three written course assignments on issues arising in readings and class discussion.

Grading

  • Seminar Preparation / Participation 25%
  • Written responses to three questions assigned by the instructor throughout the semester. One is due at end of the first part of the course; the other two will be due at the end of the course 75%

NOTES:

ATTENTION: Please contact the Centre for Accessible Learning, (MBC 1250 or Phone 778-782-3112) if you need or require assistance, not your individual instructors.

N.B.: Students are reminded that attendance in the first week of classes is important..

ASSIGNMENTS: Assignments in this course will be submitted as email attachments in docx or pdf format according to instructions that the professor will provide. It is your responsibility to ensure the file you submit is not corrupt and can be read by the professor. The professor will normally confirm receipt within 24 hours of the assignment being received. If you have not received confirmation within 24 hours, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor and resubmit.

A student must complete ALL aspects of a course (including assignments, exams, class participation, presentations and other), otherwise they will receive a grade of N.

The University has formal policies regarding intellectual dishonesty and grade appeals which may be obtained from the General Office of the School of Criminology.

Under GP18, the University has policies and procedures which respond to our obligations under the BC Human Rights Code to provide a harassment and discrimination free environment for the students, staff and faculty of this institution.  Members of this community have an affirmative obligation to safeguard the human rights of others.

University policy forbids final examinations while classes are still in session.

REGISTRAR NOTES: Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS: SFU’s Academic Integrity web site 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 their own 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

 

 

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There is no course text; all readings will be available on a Course Web Page and other internet web sites to be designated by the course instructor. Note this course will NOT be administered through the Canvas system.


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:

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.