This course asks students to examine global issues from the perspectives of Indigenous peoples, investigating topics such as identity, social justice, human rights, spirituality, resilience, and advocacy for change.
Courses Type: University/College Preparation
Prerequisite: Any Grade 11 or 12 university (U) or university/college (M) preparation course in Social Sciences and Humanities, English, or Canadian and World Studies.
In this Grade 12 Indigenous Studies course, students will examine global issues from the perspectives of Indigenous peoples, investigating topics such as identity, social justice, human rights, spirituality, resilience, and advocacy for change. Students will draw on the depth and diversity of Indigenous cultures, traditions, and knowledge to consider how Indigenous communities around the world persevere despite current global political, social, and economic challenges. Throughout this course, students will learn about the threats to cultural survival posed by trends such as the loss of land as an economic base, environmental decline, lack of sovereignty/self-governance, the legacy of colonialism, globalization, language loss, and gender-based discrimination facing Indigenous women and girls. By encouraging students to examine the political, economic, and social context for a variety of interactions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations in several regions of the world, NDW4M helps students build knowledge and skills that prepare them for meaningful participation in a globalized society. As students make connections between contemporary global issues and cultural survival, they learn that all cultures benefit when Indigenous values, rights, and aspirations are respected. Students not only explore the impact of global trends on Indigenous lives and lived experiences but they also discover ways in which Indigenous knowledge and leadership can support efforts to address issues affecting all peoples. Students may investigate the benefits of incorporating Indigenous perspectives into resource management, for example, or of employing Indigenous leadership approaches within organizational structures. By exploring the values reflected in Indigenous concepts such as the two-eyed seeing model and planning for future generations – and by investigating how these values can guide approaches to the complex issues facing nations and peoples around the world – students extend their understanding of the contributions that Indigenous cultures make, and the value they add, to the global community. They also develop their awareness of the critical importance of building relationships based on truth and mutual respect.
NDW4M Online Course Outline and Timeline
Below is the suggested sequence of course unit delivery as well as the recommended number of hours to complete the respective unit.
| Unit Order | Unit Name | Suggested Time |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Identity | 25 Hours |
| Unit 2 | Relationships | 25 Hours |
| MID SEMESTER POINT | ||
| Unit 3 | Sovereignty | 20 Hours |
| Unit 4 | Challenges | 20 Hours |
| Final | Course Culminating Activity | 20 Hours |
| View Sample GradebookTotal | 110 Hours |
Please note, as per Ministry guidelines, OVS has a mandatory 14 day minimum requirement for student enrollment to be eligible for a midterm report card and 28 days enrollment to be eligible for a final report card.
Fundamental Concepts Covered in Grade 12 Native Studies Online Course
This course provides students with an overview of the issues and challenges that confront indigenous peoples worldwide. Students will develop an understanding of the concerns and aspirations of the world’s indigenous population, plan and conduct research on global issues that have an impact on indigenous peoples, and use information technology to consult materials related to the views of indigenous peoples throughout the world.