Aanii, Boozhoo, Koolamasi, Shekoli, Shekon, Tansi

Welcome to Indigenous Studies

Indigenous Studies is an interdisciplinary program of study, examining topics relevant to Indigenous peoples' realities. Housed in the Faculty of Social Science, the program provides students with an opportunity to listen, learn, and engage with matters that are important to Indigenous peoples while providing them with the flexibility to combine their program with other undergraduate degrees.

 

 

New Intersession ART COURSE

 

Poster

New Module Changes!!

Indigenous Studies is offering new modules for our Minor, Major, and Honors Specialization programs. The previous modules are still available for current students, but all students are encouraged to consult with the new modules, as they offer a comprehensive pathway in Indigenous Studies and will prepare students for their post grad journey.

Pre-existing Program Modules

2024 - 2025 NEW Program Modules

 

Peace and purpose

A health equity advocate, Vanessa Ambtman-Smith gives back to the Indigenous community that healed her.

Click here to read more.

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Indigenous Studies Program Strategic Foundations Report

June 2023

Read Report Here

 

Important Dates for July:

 

  • July 1

    • Canada Day

     

    July 7

    • Summer Distance Studies: Last day to withdraw from a 6-week second-term course resulting in a grade of ‘WDN’ (withdrawn, without academic penalty). Course withdrawals after this date will appear on a transcript with a grade of ‘F’
    • Summer Evening: Last day to withdraw from a 6-week second-term course resulting in a grade of ‘WDN’ (withdrawn, without academic penalty). Course withdrawals after this date will appear on a transcript with a grade of ‘F'
    • Summer Day: 6-week courses and 3-week first-term courses begin

     

    July 8

    • Summer Day: Last day to add or drop a 3-week first-term course. Courses dropped by this date will not appear on a transcript. Courses dropped after this date will appear on a transcript with a grade of ‘WDN’ (withdrawn, without academic penalty)

     

    July 11

    • Summer Day: Last day to add or drop a 6-week course. Courses dropped by this date will not appear on a transcript. Courses dropped after this date will appear on a transcript with a grade of ‘WDN’ (withdrawn, without academic penalty)

     

    July 15

    • Intersession: Deadline to declare a Discovery Credit course

     

    July 18

    • Summer Day: Last day to withdraw from a 3-week first-term course resulting in a grade of ‘WDN' (withdrawn, without academic penalty). Course withdrawals after this date will appear on a transcript with a grade of ‘F'

     

    July 25

    • Summer Distance Studies: 12-week courses and 6-week second-term courses end
    • Summer Evening: 12-week courses and 6-week second-term courses end
    • Summer Day: 3-week first-term courses end
    • Summer Day: Last day to withdraw from a 6-week course resulting in a grade of ‘WDN' (withdrawn, without academic penalty). Course withdrawals after this date will appear on a transcript with a grade of ‘F’

     

    July 28

    • Summer Day: 3-week second-term courses begin

     

    July 28-29

    • Summer Evening: Examinations

     

    July 28-31

    • Summer Distance Studies: Examinations

     

    July 29

    • Summer Day: Last day to add or drop a 3-week second-term course. Courses dropped by this date will not appear on a transcript. Courses dropped after this date will appear on a transcript with a grade of ‘WDN’ (withdrawn, without academic penalty)

     

    July 31

    • Deadline to apply for relief against a final grade in an Intersession course

 

What's new

Indigenous Studies Mural!

New Indigenous Studies mural honours community voices on Western University campus.
Two bears climb trees, acting as protectors as animals gather around a sacred fire. Flowing behind it all are the waters of the Deshkan Ziibi.
This scene is part of a new mural outside the Indigenous Studies office on the third floor of the Social Science Centre at Western. The mural has been created by students, staff and faculty connected to the program.
Mike Cywink, an Indigenous Studies student and staff member at Western, designed the mural with input from the community.
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Watch the YouTube Video Here 

 

Indigenous Studies collaborates in Multi-generational Wisdom Council on climate crisis

In March of this year Indigenous youth and traditional knowledge holders from from Deshkan Ziibi and  Alba/Scotland got together for a virtual wisdom council to discuss the role of Indigenous knowledge and intergenerational connections as a means of strengthening climate crisis resilience. The Wisdom Council was also attended by interested members of the public from Alba, Turtle Island and Aotearoa. This was the second of two wisdom councils led by the Alliance for Intergenerational Resilience, Western University and Vancouver Island University. We are very happy to have had the opportunity to collaborate with the Head and Heart Indigenous Research Fellowship program (HHIRFP) Office of Indigenous Initiatives at Western, and in particular Indigenous Studies student and HHIRF Chantel Jamieson in producing a report on both wisdom councils. The report on both wisdom councils can be read here. The report can be read here.

 

Snapshot of 2025-26 Courses

INDIGSTU 1020E – Introduction to Indigenous Studies, Instructor: Renee Bedard
INDIGSTU 2000A – Beyond Acknowledgements, Instructor: Rick Fehr
INDIGSTU 2218G – Contemporary Indigenous Issues, Instructor: Vanessa Ambtman Smith
INDIGSTU 2253B – Endanger Langs & Revitalization, Instructor: T. Granadillo
INDIGSTU 2412F – Indigenous Healthcare Spaces, Instructor: Vanessa Ambtman Smith
INDIGSTU 2601G – Indigenous Environments, Instructor: Chantelle Richmond
INDIGSTU 2676B – Land, Arts, Place l, Instructor: J. Leween
INDIGSTU 2682G – Indigenous Women's Art, Instructor: Renee Bedard
INDIGSTU 2807F – Indigenous Feminisms, Instructor: Lina Sunseri
INDIGSTU 2919F – Haudenosaunee History Culture, Instructor: Lina Sunseri
INDIGSTU 3140F – Indigenous Knowledge and Traditions, Instructor: Lewis Williams
INDIGSTU 3600G – Climate, Culture, & Indigenous Geography, Instructor: Lewis Williams
INDIGSTU 3722G – Indigenoush Political & Legal Issues, Instructor: Rick Fehr
INDIGSTU 4001G – Advanced Special Topics Indigenous Studies, Instructor: Lina Suneri
INDIGSTU 4023F – Research in Indigenous Studies, Instructor: Desmond Moser
INDIGSTU 4024A – Community-Based Praxis, Instructor: Cortney Golkar-Dakin (S. Awasis)
INDIGSTU 4142F – Decolonizing Relations, Instructor: Cortney Golkar-Dakin (S. Awasis)
INDIGSTU 4903G – Indigenous Research Methodologies, Instructor: Lewis Williams


For course descriptions, see the Course Description Page 
For full course listings, see the 2025-2026 Timetable

 

Wisdom Council Report