February 8, 2010

Media contact: Kim Lawrence
Office: 604-864-4611
Cell: 604-302-6257
kim.lawrence@ufv.ca
 
Summer program at UFV gives context for Aboriginal land claims issues

With 60 per cent of BC’s eligible First Nations bands in the treaty process, multiple negotiations are underway across the province at any given time to address outstanding social, economical, and geographical injustices. Unfortunately, many people involved in treaty and land claims deliberations are not fully aware of the history and context of these negotiations.

UFV is proud to offer the second edition of a short certificate program to help these individuals acquire and explore key background knowledge quickly and thoroughly. The certificate in Indigenous Studies: Maps, Films, Rights, and Land Claims will be delivered May 3-28 in Chilliwack, in the heart of traditional Stó:lõ First Nation territory.

For Aboriginal groups, hereditary title is the source of rights within their traditional territories. Because of this, First Nations view land, sea, and resources as fundamental components of modern treaties. This three-course, 12-credit certificate gives participants the opportunity to learn skills that are of direct relevance to the history, communication, implementation, and critique of rights, title, and land claims. It will use film, oral histories, documentaries, surveys and maps, legal discourse analysis, and field work to explain their importance to the indigenous land and rights process, with a specific focus on British Columbia.

“There is a clear shortage of people — of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal descent — who have both the cultural understanding and practical skills required for the successful negotiation and resolution of Indigenous land claims. This certificate should provide students with a credential that they can take back to their communities, organizations, firms, and government ministries,” says Dr. Eric Davis, Vice-President Academic at UFV.

Participants will learn in a small group with instructors who have extensive experience in the field, including Hugh Brody, athor, filmmaker and Canada Research Chair in Aboriginal Studies; Dr. Ken Brealey, head of the geography department at UFV; Dr. Dave Schaepe, co-director, Sto:lo Research & Resource Management Centre /Adjunct Professor, SFU REM; and Sonny McHalsie, co-manager and cultural advisor of the Sto:lo Research and Resource Management Centre. The program begins with in-class and in-field learning delivered daily in four focused weeks between May 3 and 28 and uses the remaining time in the semester (until June 26) for student assignments.

Interested parties are strongly encouraged to apply by April 20 to begin May 4. Please call Nicole Levinsky at 604-854-4568 or email nicole.levinsky@ufv.ca to facilitate the process.  Ken Brealey, department head, can also be contacted with questions at 604-504-7441 local 4336 or ken.brealey@ufv.ca . 

Full details, costs, course info, and instructor profiles are available at www.ufv.ca/landclaims .   

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