Certificate in Indigenous Studies

About this programme

The Indigenous Studies Certificate at John Abbott College allows you to choose from a designated list of courses that relate to Indigenous cultures. To obtain the Certificate, which is given out at graduation, you need to pass six courses from the list and do a special project in one of those courses. The Certificate encourages a self-identified focus on Indigenous Studies but does not entail extra work on top of your DEC requirements. It gives you a “value-added” diploma. Indigenous peoples’ perspectives on history, identity, tradition and modernity; Present day social and political realities; Colonialism; Indigenous arts: literature, theatre, music, dance, film, new media and broadcasting; Languages: threatened languages and language revival; Spirituality and indigenous world views; Impact of climate change on Indigenous territories and lifestyles; Story-telling and oral traditions; Diversity of Indigenous communities in North America and around the world. First Nations, Métis and Inuit students are increasingly finding their place and their voice in post-secondary education. At the same time, non-Indigenous Canadians are becoming more aware of the enduring presence and contemporary realities of this country’s Indigenous peoples. The Indigenous Studies Certificate offers both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous student an excellent general-knowledge base which will focus on the history, languages, art, cultural traditions, philosophy, spirituality, as well as present-day political and social conditions of Indigenous Peoples. A thorough understanding of the values and dign