Certificate in Indigenous Studies:
maps, films, rights, and land claims
Background
- 116 of 195 eligible BC First Nations bands are in the treaty process (~ 60%),
sitting at 45 treaty tables. (as of Sept. 30, '06)
- BC has 198 First Nations bands (~33% of Canada's bands) and 1,701 reserves
(~63% of Canada's reserves). (as of Sept. 30, '06)
- There are 29 tribal councils in BC, self-identified entities that represent Aboriginal people or a group of bands.
'Land claim' is a phrase used by federal and provincial governments to describe the assertion by Aboriginal people in Canada of their rights to traditional lands. Unlike other parts of Canada, very few historical treaties were signed in British Columbia. In recent times, the Canadian Constitution and a number of legal decisions have recognized and protected a broader concept of Aboriginal rights. British Columbia, Canada and First Nations are attempting to define these rights through negotiations. For Aboriginal groups, hereditary title is the source of rights within their traditional territories. The land, sea and resources form the basis of Aboriginal spiritual, philosophical and cultural views of the world. Aboriginal people have consistently stated that the stewardship of the land, sea and resources is a sacred trust that must be recognized for the benefit of future generations. Because of this, First Nations view land, sea and resources as fundamental components of modern treaties.
Treaties are being negotiated to define constitutionally protected Aboriginal rights. The application of Canadian law, particularly the federal Indian Act, has created a legacy of distrust. In short, First Nation communities are disenfranchised from the rest of Canadian society because of these laws. Treaties provide First Nations with the authority to manage their affairs and become less reliant on government transfers. Treaties also help address outstanding economic and social injustices, which exist because Aboriginal people have been treated differently in our society since colonization. They also establish certainty over British Columbia Crown land and resources. Treaties lead to greater self-reliance for First Nation communities, and help to close the social and economic gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal British Columbians. (source for above: BC Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconcilation)
There are people from all walks of life involved directly or indirectly in land claims discussions across the province. Many are not fully aware of the history and context of these discussions. Knowledge of other histories and geographies, and of alternative cultural perspectives on land and resources and how they are represented to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people alike, are essential if we are to reach a common understanding and move forward in a spirit of cooperation and reconciliation. UFV is pleased to be delivering the second edition of this critically acclaimed (see below) certificate to help people acquire and explore key areas of knowledge quickly and thoroughly.
The program
This intensive four-week, three-course, twelve-credit certificate offers students the opportunity to learn a range of conceptual and practical skills that are of direct relevance to the history, communication, implementation, and critique of rights, title, and land claims. It focuses on a range of representational practices, including, but not limited to, film, oral histories, documentaries, surveys and maps, and legal discourse analysis, and their importance to the Indigenous land and rights process generally, but with a focus on British Columbia and the lower Fraser Valley in particular.
The in-class portion of this certificate will be offered for four weeks from May 3 through 28 2009 on a 'four-day-on, three-day-off' schedule, with the remainder of the early summer semester (through to June 26) used by students for completion of assignments. In-class learning is supported by practicum work, visits to field sites, and guest lectures or visits by Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal experts working in the area of comprehensive land claims and treaty negotiations.
'Week 1' (May 3-28, 2010)
HIST 399e: Special topics in History I: Films, Histories and Land (4 credits)
This intensive one-week (see Note below) course offers students an account and analysis of how film and historical writing have been used to make the invisible (the heritage and land use of First Nations) visible (films and texts created to reveal and explain Indigenous peoples' relationship to their lands and cultures). By critically evaluating film and text, students will learn about the challenges of land claims research, and how to enhance research methodologies developed to advance land rights and land claims processes in Canada and other parts of the world. The focus will be on the place of creative work in research.
Instructor:
Hugh Brody, author, filmmaker and Canada Research Chair in Aboriginal Studies at UFV
read bio
'Week 2' (May 3-28, 2010)
GEOG 300f: Special Topics in Geography: Maps, Territories and Land (4 credits)
This intensive one-week course (see Note below) introduces students to the conceptual and practical challenges of making maps to advance and support land claims in British Columbia. Students will learn about the history of First Nations cartography and wayfinding in British Columbia and elsewhere, and how to use maps and other forms of spatial representation such as stories, songs, artifacts, blockades or occupancies, and the law to advance claims to territory in the modern period, and some of the perils and promises associated with these processes.
Instructor:
Dr. Ken Brealey, UFV Geography Department Head
(extensive experience in the research and mapping of oral history, and comprehensive and specific claims)
read bio
'Week 3' (May 3-28, 2010)
HIST 396i: Special Topics in North American History: Rights, Title and Land
(4 credits)
This intensive one-week course (see Note below) introduces students to the history of the Sto:lo, their relations to land and resources, and rights, title, and land claims issues. Students will watch films, read texts, hear oral interviews and presentations, view maps, and tour the Sto:lo cultural landscape as a 'thick' or 'embedded' way of learning about the Sto:lo and the challenges facing them in their relationship with non-Native newcomers and government authorities. Sto:lo rights and title issues involve local and broader histories of litigation, negotiation, direct action, and land/resource management. The course will challenge students to be creative in thinking of ways to understand, convey, and address rights and title issues, using a variety of methods and media.
Instructors:
Dr. David Schaepe, Co-Director Sto:lo Research and Resource Management Center/Adjunct Professor Simon Fraser University (extensive experience researching Sto:lo title, rights and heritage)
read bio
Sonnie McHalsie, Co-Manager and Cultural Advisor of the Sto:lo Research and Resource Managament Center(extensive experience in the negotiation of Sto:lo title and rights)
read bio
Note: Each of the three courses is effectively 'one week' (five day-long classes) in length, and the responsibility of the designated instructor, but in practice they will be interwoven with each other, 'stretched over' a four week period, instructors alternating with one another as required. In part, this is because of the availability of certain facilities and/or guest speakers relevant to the material covered by each instructor, but also because it enhances the interconnected nature of the courses in the certificate as a whole. The exact rotation of the classes will be made clear at the start of the certificate on May 3.
Some reviews from the inaugural 2009 edition of the certificate:
"I liked the order and the dove-tailing of the instructors and their different meshed topics"
"The course was a good one. Instructors were the best and from a good variety of personality, attitude and focus. They are passionate and sensitive....I felt honoured to be part of this learning program. I was really impressed by what the people who put this certificate together accomplished."
"The course fitted amazingly with my other courses...and I feel gave me great new insight of First Nations peoples, which I can apply to my other education."
"I loved the resource manual."
"Cultural history tour was awesome...and seeing some of the films was great."
"All of the instructors and classmates were great when I was unclear about any topic."
"This has been an amazing opportunity and I feel very privileged to have sat in this room and learned from everyone. The enthusiasm of the instructors is contagious...a unique learning environment on many levels."
Location
Classes will be delivered in G130, Aboriginal Resource Center, on UFV's Chilliwack campus, in the heart of traditional Sto:lo territory, which extends from Langley to 5 Mile Creek, north of Yale, on both sides of the Fraser River. Field trips will form a part of the curriculum.
Students coming from outside the lower Fraser Valley may wish to consider accommodation in UFV's student residences, which are located in Abbotsford, approximately 40 km west of Chilliwack. The cost is $210 per week and students would be responsible for their own bedding and toiletries. Each suite has two bedrooms and a shared bathroom. Contact
elicia.tournier@ufv.ca for further information or bookings.
CostsThe course consists of 3 four-credit courses at $544.64/course, for a total of $1633.92 in tuition. Students should also be prepared to cover the cost of a course pack of reference materials (~$75) and any
ancillary fees.
Note that new students (see next section) to UFV will also be responsible for the $45 application fee to the institution.
Entrance requirements
- Applicants will require the flexibility and freedom to participate fully in this certificate program, including acceptance of daily day-long classes, ability to access and participate in field trips, and a willingness to participate in group activities.
- Applicants should be able to demonstrate a link to an Aboriginal community (e.g., an Aboriginal Band or Tribal Council, paralegal, or other involvement in land claims) and/or have an interest in Aboriginal issues.
- Applicants should have their BC secondary school graduation or equivalent, be 19 years of age before the first day of class, and have the ability to express themselves clearly and coherently.
- Applicants must submit a letter of intent not exceeding two pages in length that explains why s/he wants to apply to the certificate and which speaks to the criteria outlined in the first two bullets, above. Applicants must also submit a writing sample that speaks to the criteria in the third bullet, above. (The normal prerequisites for Hist 399e, Geog 300f and Hist 396i will be waived for students admitted to this program.)
Applicants will be assessed/weighted according to the following criteria:
- interest in and motivation in learning about maps, films, rights and their history and application to the resolution of Aboriginal land claims (as covered in the letter of intent) (up to 20 points)
- willingness to commit to intensive in-class experience in a condensed four week period that includes external field trip requirements and conditions (as covered in the letter of intent) (up to 10 points)
- one page writing sample (300 to 350 words) to demonstrate competency in English (up to 10 points)
Note: Applicants must score 30 out of 40 for acceptance into the certificate.
How to applyCurrent UFV students should submit their letter of intent and writing sample, and all supporting documents to Admissions and Records (A&R).
New students should submit the same documents but also their application for admission to UFV (along with the application for admission fee) to A&R. Application for admission forms are avaialbe from any A&R or Student Services office, but you can also print the form from
www.ufv.ca/ar or apply directly through the Internet at
www.pas.bc.ca.
For details on the program itself, please contact Ken Brealey, Head Department of Geography
ken.brealey@ufv.ca.
Questions?
Please contact Ken Brealey, Geography Department Head
ken.brealey@ufv.ca or Nicole Levinsky, Geography Dpartment Assistant, at
nicole.levinsky@ufv.ca or 604-854-4568.
