Indigenous Studies - Western University

Indigenous Studies
Indigenous Studies is an interdisciplinary program of study that examines the history, culture, language and modern-day realities of Indigenous people and communities on Turtle Island and around the world. Emphasis is placed on theories, concepts and methodologies related to legacies of colonialism, Indigenous Knowledge, resurgence and decolonization.

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.

Program Learning Outcomes

Recognize the importance of community engagement and how to do this in an ethical and responsible way.
Ask and frame questions in a respectful and effective way to encourage dialogue and to cultivate further intellectual curiosity.
Exhibit cross-cultural competency through respectful, open-minded dialogue, and a willingness to share knowledge with discernment, humility, and care.
Consider and engage with complex problems from a range of perspectives and voices other than their own.
Recognize the vital connection between Indigenous language and knowledge to cultural survival and health.
Explore ethical research methods for working with Indigenous people and Indigenous communities, and in some cases apply those ethical models in practice.
Examine the key concepts that underpin Indigenous and settler knowledges.
Navigate diverse academic and professional work environments, from independent pursuits to collaborative and community-based approaches.
Explain/Describe the distinct and locally situated nature of Indigenous experiences across cultural, historical, and contemporary contexts.
Engage in scholarly research covering the depth and breadth of Indigenous Studies as a distinct interdisciplinary field.
Develop the required interdisciplinary skillsets needed for Indigenous-centered careers and professional studies.
Participate and honour diverse Indigenous-informed pedagogies while simultaneously engaging in Western pedagogical frameworks.
Develop knowledge of global Indigenous histories and contemporary realities, comparing them to, and distinguishing them from, Indigenous experiences in Canada.
Apply self-reflexivity and positionality in demonstrating a commitment to social, political, and environmental justice for Indigenous peoples.
Engage in Indigenous land-based knowledges and perspectives, and in the process cultivate reciprocal community relationships.
Recognize the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization on Indigenous peoples and engage critically and creatively with debates on decolonization.

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.

Indigenous Studies Program Strategic Foundations Report

June 2023

Read Report Here

Important Dates for November:

November 1

Deadline for official transcripts for courses taken on Letters of Permission during the academic year 2024-25 and the Spring/Summer Terms of 2025

November 3-9

Fall Reading Week

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.

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 2253A – Endanger Langs & Revitalization, Instructor: T. Granadillo
INDIGSTU 2412F – Indigenous Healthcare Spaces, Instructor: Vanessa Ambtman Smith
INDIGSTU 2601G – Indigenous Environments, Instructor: Chantelle Richmond
INDIGSTU 2676A – Land, Art, Place I, Instructor: Jackson 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 3001G – Special Topics in Indigenous Studies, Instructor: TBA
INDIGSTU 3140F – Indigenous Knowledge & Traditions, Instructor: Lewis Williams
INDIGSTU 3600G – Climate, Culture, & Indigenous Georgraphy, Instructor: Lewis Williams
INDIGSTU 3722G – Indigenous Political & Legal Issues, Instructor: Rick Fehr
INDIGSTU 4001G – Advanced Special Topics Indigenous Studies, Instructor: Lina Sunseri
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 and Methodologies, Instructor: Lewis Williams