Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - INDG 250 D100

Introduction to Indigenous Policy (3)

Class Number: 3763

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 7, 2026: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    INDG 101.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces students to federal and provincial state policies impacting the lived experiences of Indigenous peoples both historically and contemporarily. Students with credit for INDG (or FNST) 222 under the title "Introduction to Public Policy" may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course provides an interdisciplinary survey of Indigenous policy in Canada, with a focus on how federal and provincial policies have shaped, and continue to shape, the everyday lives of Indigenous peoples. It introduces students to the complex and evolving relationship between Indigenous nations and the Canadian state, highlighting the structural, social, legal, and political dimensions of policy-making.
Students will explore how key policy areas, such as governance, land and resource management, health, education, child welfare, economic development, and environmental regulation, impact Indigenous communities differently based on intersecting identities, including gender, sexuality, and legal status. Attention is also given to the ongoing resistance, resurgence, and policy alternatives advanced by Indigenous peoples.
This is a survey course intended to build a foundational understanding of major themes and debates in Indigenous policy studies. While the course cannot cover all aspects in depth, it is designed to help students develop the analytical tools necessary to think critically about policy impacts, and to pursue further study or research in this field.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  • Analyze the historical and contemporary role of federal and provincial policies in shaping the lived realities of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
  • Identify and deconstruct the mechanisms of colonialism embedded in policy frameworks and their effects on Indigenous lands, cultures, governance, and identities.
  • Assess how policies intersect with issues of race, gender, class, and status, particularly in relation to the experiences of Indigenous women.
  • Recognize the role of Indigenous-led governance, activism, and grassroots movements in challenging and reshaping policy landscapes.
  • Build a critical vocabulary for discussing Indigenous policy and its implications for justice, sovereignty, and self-determination.

Grading

  • Participation 15%
  • Discussion Board Participation Lead Discussant (10%) Short reflections (5 x 2%) 20%
  • In-class midterm 25%
  • Take home final 25%
  • Reading worksheets (x3) 15%

REQUIREMENTS:

Course Text:

Burnett, K., & Read, G. (Eds.). (2016). Aboriginal History: A reader (2nd Ed.). Oxford University Press.

 

Additional course materials (outside of the required text) will be posted on CANVAS.

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.