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First Nations Studies

General Description

The B.A. Major and Minor in First Nations Studies are products of a collaboration between Vancouver Island University and the First Nations of Vancouver Island and Coastal British Columbia. Their purpose is to provide comprehensive, high-quality education respectful of the cultures of Aboriginal peoples, while meeting their diverse needs.

The Bachelor of Arts, Major and Minor in First Nations Studies:

  • explore contemporary First Nations issues in an integrated, multidisciplinary manner;
  • prepare students for living within First Nations societies and the larger world;
  • allow students to pursue the widest possible variety of professional specializations;
  • focus on the physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual well-being of each student;
  • emphasize links with First Nations communities and organizations, governments, and educational institutions that give students maximum opportunity for success;
  • build national and international bridges to connect the First Nations of British Columbia with Indigenous peoples around the world.

Requirements for a Major

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

Years 1 and 2: 12 credits of first and second-year courses with a First Nations focus including any first and second-year FNAT courses and any of the following courses: ANTH 112, 121, 221, 280;  ENGL 213, 214;  HIST 111, 112, 230, 231;  WOST 210, 211; or other approved first or second-year level courses with First Nations content.

Years 3 and 4: Minimum of 30-upper-level credits in courses on First Nations subjects, 24 credits of which must be taken from the core program (see below). The remaining 6 credits may be taken from upper-level FNAT courses or from among the following courses: ANTH 367, GEOG 392, HIST 358, WOST 310; or other approved upper-level courses with a First Nations focus.

Note: Students who have taken FNAT 101 and 102 may take core-program credits in any order; students who have not taken FNAT 101 and 102 must take FNAT 320 prior to taking other core-program courses.

The Core Program

The core program consists of 24 credits in four 6 credit upper-level theme-based courses:

  • FNAT 320 (6) Colonization and Aboriginal Peoples: A World Perspective;
  • FNAT 325 (6) First Nations Perspectives and the Natural Environment;
  • FNAT 420 (6) First Nations Families and Communities;
  • FNAT 425 (6) Decolonization: First Nations Self-Government into the 21st Century.

Core courses are taught by teams of instructors who are involved in all aspects of student learning. Team-teaching promotes multiple points of view on all topics. Instructors on the teaching teams come from different disciplines, and each course is taught in an interdisciplinary way. Seminars (or learning circles) and the process of learning through discussion encourage students to think critically, improve their speaking abilities, and work cooperatively.

Requirements for a Minor

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

Years 1 and 2: 12 credits of first and second-year courses with a First Nations focus, including any first and second-year FNAT courses and any of the following courses: ANTH 112, 121, 221, 280;  ENGL 213, 214;  HIST 111, 112, 230, 231;  WOST 210, 211; or other approved first or second-year level courses with First Nations content.

Years 3 and 4: Minimum of 18 upper-level credits in courses on First Nations subjects, 12 credits of which must be taken from the core program (see Requirements for a Major). The remaining 6 credits may be taken from upper-level FNAT courses or from among the following courses: ANTH 367, GEOG 392, HIST 358, WOST 310; or other approved upper-level courses with a First Nations focus.

Note: Students who have taken FNAT 101 and 102 may take core-program credits in any order; students who have not taken FNAT 101 and 102 must take FNAT 320 prior to taking other core-program courses.

Certificate or Diploma programs transferable as block credit from other institutions include:

  • Administration of Aboriginal Governments (UVic)
  • Cultural Resource Management (UVic)
  • Justice Studies (OLA and SFU)
  • Public Administration (UVic)

Updated February 29, 2012