Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2026 - INDG 305 OL01

Treaties in Canada (1)

Class Number: 2009

Delivery Method: Online

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Online

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces students to the historical and contemporary contexts of treaty relations between settlers and the First Peoples of Turtle Island. Provides critical insight into the various treaties within Canada; treaty negotiations, including Indigenous oral histories; Indigenous resistance to treaty infringements; and other important legislation impacting treaty rights.

COURSE DETAILS:

This asynchronous course introduces students to First Peoples' perspectives on treaty-making, treaty interpretation, and treaty rights.  By focusing on the history of treaty relations between settlers and the First Peoples of Turtle Island, this course provides students with critical insight into contemporary relationships and political contexts in Canada.  Students will learn about the pre-confederation treaties, the Numbered treaties, as well as the modern treaty process. 

This course contains a mixture of recorded lectures, assigned readings and videos, as well as evaluative activities, quizzes and midterms.

This course is Pass/Fail. 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students will be able to:

- Demonstrate knowledge of the history of treaty negotiations and Indigenous oral histories of treaties.
- Critically analyze the relationship between land claims, colonial law, and treaty-making, as well as Indigenous resistance to treaty infringements
- Show comprehension of important legislation impacting First Peoples' treaty rights

Grading

  • Weekly quizzes (10 x 5) 50%
  • Mid-term Exams (2 x 25) 50%

NOTES:

These quizzes will test students on the lecture materials and, in some cases, provide further context or historical details by including supporting reading material.  Students have two attempts to take the quiz and their highest grade will be recorded. 

Midterms will consist of 25 questions each and can be attempted only once.  Questions include multiple choice, true/false, matching, and fill in the blank questions.  Midterms will cover lecture materials and course content.  Supplementary materials provided on the canvas page will not be tested on.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Desktop computer, laptop, or tablet with access to the internet
- SFU account info and self-enrollment in our course on Canvas
- Word processing app (e.g. Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or Pages) and PDF viewer (e.g. Adobe, Preview, or Chrome)

REQUIRED READING:

Government of Canada. The Indian Act, 1876. S.C. 1876, c. 18. 

Palmater, Pamela. "My Tribe, My Heirs and Their Heirs Forever: Living Mi'kmaw Treaties." Living Treaties: Narrating Mi'kmaw Treaty Relations, edited by Marie Battiste, Cape Breton University Press, 2018.

Simpson, Leanne. "Looking After Gdoo-Naaganinaa: Precolonial Nishnaabeg Diplomatic and Treaty Relationships." Wicazo Sa Review, vol. 23, no. 2, 2008, pp. 29-42. 

All readings available on Canvas. 


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.