  Register for this free course! You can also take the certificate for $65 CAD which adds a level of accountability. I'm taking the certificate version to contribute to its continued offering, but heartedly encourage you to sign up for this 8 week course (either free or not) through Coursera here starting on September 4th, 2017. Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada. Led by my former classmate Dr. Tracy Bear, this course explores key issues facing Indigenous peoples today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations. Topics for the 12 lessons include the fur trade and other exchange relationships, land claims and environmental impacts, legal systems and rights, political conflicts and alliances, Indigenous political activism, and contemporary Indigenous life, art and its expressions. I'm very excited to see how this course has changed from when Dr. Ellen Bielawski, Dr. Josie Auger and Dr. James Dempsey taught the course over a decade ago. I can tell you first hand that is a worthwhile investment of time. Why should you listen to me? Well I was lucky to serve as one of the Teacher's Assistant (T.A.s) for this specific course (NS 201) form 2006 to 2007. Plus, I have a Native Studies degree from the University of Alberta and was a fellow student from the professors who are leading this course (they were all far smarter than I). So with all that history, why am I taking this course? The answer is simple, much has changed the last decade. From court cases to reconciliation, the advancements in Indigenous related law and governance is astounding. There is no doubt in my mind that there will be an abundance of new information that I will encountering for the first time. A good comparison would be to maintaining technical certifications, such as a Project Management Professional, who would take annual training to maintain their designation. Working, volunteering, being a member of Indigenous communities is an honour and to maintain that honour I have dedicated myself to lifelong learning about Indigenous matters. I'll leave you with this quote: "We were very impoverished because our history was denied to us. So you can imagine all the work that we have to do still. That every community, every child that's growing, should know its history and, as much as possible, its language."
Alanis Obomsawin, filmmaker
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About me
I grew up in Athabasca, AB and have spent the majority of my life in Northern Alberta or Montreal, PQ. My husband has been in Fort McMurray since the 70s and continues to love this town and all that it has to offer. We are avid outdoor enthusiasts, spending our summer weekends quadding and camping. As Opimian members we thoroughly enjoy wine pairings and tastings and are working on our wine collection. Ralph is a carpenter by trade and has framed more houses in Fort McMurray than I could count and knows the city inside and out. I work all throughout the region from the NWT to Janvier for the tribal council. My passion is doodling and photography which is featured throughout the website (various mediums), writing, Indigenous studies, and learning in general. Categories |
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