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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Indigenous Canada by University of Alberta

4.8
stars
21,725 ratings

About the Course

Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores the different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous peoples living in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores complex experiences Indigenous peoples face 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....

Top reviews

MD

Jul 2, 2021

This course was very interesting and very informative. Not only did it help correct stereotypes or prejudices, it showed a wide range of subjects pertaining to global and specific Indigenous cultures.

LJ

May 5, 2022

I really enjoyed this course. I liked that it was taught by indigenous peoples from their perspective. I feel much more confident in my knowledge regarding indigenous issues and traditions. Thank you!

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626 - 650 of 7,644 Reviews for Indigenous Canada

By Susan M

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Nov 17, 2020

The content of the class was very encompassing. The tests were, for me, difficult in the phrasing (there were many instances where I couldn't follow the logic of what was wanted or missed a "not".) I'm now too old to really worry about the credits but only the information, so this was only a minor nuisance. I grew up in Minnesota and have lived for many years in Alaska so appreciate that, other than the Canadian legal structure, much of the class was pan-North American and connected with things that I'd learned before. Thank you.

By Stacey W

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Nov 6, 2020

A very well thought out and strategically layered course to provide an introduction into Indigenous worldviews and to address topics that are still woven into today's social, political and environmental challenges. Grateful for all that I learned to reshape my past learning, to further new learning and for the spark of continued ongoing learning. Thank you immensely to Professor Bear and Professor Gareau, the special guests for our Sunday discussions and the faculty of Native Studies for the incredible work you put into this course.

By Everett M

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Nov 11, 2021

This was my first on-line course because I felt the necessity of learning more deeply the history of indigenous peoples in Canada. This course was well presented and well organized in all of the 12 modules. The quizzes at the end of each module proved to be an incentive for me to review and reinforce materials. I encourage all Canadians, and persons from other countries as well to take the time to enjoy these 20 hours or so learning something really important which can shape views and knowledge of life in North America before 1492.

By Erin-Marie M

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Jun 14, 2020

Huge thanks to everyone involved in creating this course and putting it out into the world. The modules are so well put together - they are deeply researched, and clearly structured and narrated. I greatly appreciate the inclusion of course notes, and all your references, so that I can continue to further my education. As someone born and raised on Treaty 7 land, everything I learned in this course is long overdue. I do hope this course can be used as a model for/inspires the revision of curriculum at all levels across the country.

By Lisa M

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May 30, 2021

This course was paced very well, easy to digest and understand and challenged me where I needed to be challenged in the ways I uphold colonial systems that are still causing harm to Indigenous Communities today. It provided more in-depth information than I ever learned at school (through elementary, secondary, undergrad and graduate school) in Canada and provided me with enough resources to dive deeper into areas I am interested in learning more. It was a privilege to be a student in this course. Thank you so much for offering it.

By olivia r

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Apr 13, 2021

From a settler's perspective, this is an excellent introductory course that well integrates past and present to help students, without lived First Nation, Inuit or Metis experience, to better understand the long standing dynamics of colonialism. Hopefully this course will educate and inspire students to work to overcome this damaging colonial legacy. This course will hopefully be inspiring and encouraging for Indigenous students as the course speaks of the strength, innovation and strength of First Nation, Inuit and Metis persons.

By Heather W

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Jul 30, 2020

I appreciated the progression of the material which helped to build an understanding of the roots and ongoing colonization of Indigenous people. Also the quizzes were hard enough to show whether I understood the material.

I feel like I have a deeper understanding of the complexity and richness of the world views of the Indigenous peoples that were represented in this course.

The art work was also an embodiment of the values of interconnectedness and storytelling.

Very worthwhile course and I am very grateful to have taken it.

By Jacqueline O

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Mar 13, 2022

I thouroughly enjoyed this course. The content was thoughtfully presented and the knowledge I have gained about the Indigenous experience in Canada is invaluable. I feel enlightened, enriched and better informed about the role of Indigenous people and their significance in Candian History.

Many thanks ,, I feel as though i have stepped into the light and appreciate the injustices endured by Indigenous people in the past and hope courses like this expose the gross treatment at the hands of the federal government. Time for change..

By charlene C

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Nov 22, 2020

This course was an amazingly informative, educational, interesting, powerful and emotional journey. It was presented in a very unique and beautiful way. I have learned so much that I now have a better understanding of the stories about First Nations People that are in the news and have taken to educating family and friends. I have also spent many hours googling different legal cases and many artists that were presented briefly in the modules. Thank you to the makers of this online course, I am sad that it has come to an end.

By Miahuatl K

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Nov 18, 2020

I knew very little about Indigenous Peoples history, culture, and present experience in Canada. This course was truly illuminating and an absolute basic course everyone should take. I often went to an individual who is close to me that is from an Indigenous group in Canada and tell him knew things I learned and he was presently surprised by how I was learning what I was. I think this is a beautiful course with a wonderful combination of videos, readings, art, and images. I absolutely loved this course! It was enjoyable each week.

By Katherine S

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Oct 4, 2020

I thoroughly enjoyed the course. I feel much more informed about indigenous history. I liked the way that some of the more recent recent issues were brought in such as "idle no more" etc. I am a bit of a reading buff so I appreciated the nods to Vine Deloria and Howard Adams but maybe you could put a bit more in the lesson 12 about current Canadian Indigenous authors. I really liked the paintings of Leah Dorian and her explanations. The quizzes are thought were fair and related to the course material well. Thanks and Best Wishes.

By Liyan D

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Jun 7, 2019

Growing up in central and northern Alberta, I thought I had a pretty good idea of Indigenous history. I was wrong. This course has changed everything. For example, I now REALLY understand that I was born on Treaty 6 lands, and spent quite a few school years on Treaty 8 land. That reality matters and should be foremost in our minds. I also learned that there is another word for "Cree" and I had no idea that was the case. I now know that nehiyawak (lower case only) is a correct and respectful term. Everyone should take this course!

By Holly D

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Oct 1, 2021

While I did know a little bit about treaty making in Canada, it was amazing to learn how much I didn't know. I loved this course and in fact took several weeks to complete the last unit because I knew it would be over and I want to know more. I read the Final Report of the TRC while doing this course and now I have to figure out how to deal with 'white people' guilt. I recommend every minute of this course to everyone in Canada and hope that most of this information is now or soon will be included in every class room in Canada!

By Ryan C

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Nov 14, 2020

Opens up a whole new viewpoint on many issues. You can never judge someone until you walk a mile in their shoes, and part of learning and understanding is to attempt to do so. This course allows for that experience. Example: After completing this course, I can now see and understand much better why the Indigenous peoples of Canada have had many conflicts with the government in the past, and can now better sympathize with their demands of the government and why they actually deserve many of the compensations that they ask for.

By Deanna H

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Mar 11, 2022

An incredibly comprehensive coverage of topics, delivered in a clear, articulate way. Appeals to variety of learning styles and enables reinforcement of concepts through both video and readings. The incorporation of the ideas through art helps to see the teachings in a tangible, visual form that engraves it on the mind. The interviews offer reinforcement of the teachings through the perspectives of multiple people. Thank you so much for putting this course together. It will be shared and highly recommended to my community!

By Alison P

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Oct 15, 2020

A great, comprehensive overview that should be required learning for all Canadians, particularly Settler Canadians. In learning in public schools in the 70s and 80s, the Indian Act, in particular, was 'romanticized' and presented as a positive development, when it was anything but. This was one of the major learnings I will take forward, in addition to understanding Indigenous 'ways of knowing', culture, art, governance and social structures. Thank you so much to the presenters and the University of Alberta for sponsoring this.

By Scott H

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Feb 20, 2021

I really enjoyed this class. I have a degree in Canadian and American History from U of T. I studied in the early 90s. What was eye-opening was how much work and research had been completed since that time. I strongly encourage all colonizers or descendants of colonizers to take this course. We have fundamental issues we need to solve, and we need to solve them in the spirit of the 1st treaties signed on Turtle Island. This is not a short-term project, but we need to start now - with actions, not just more empty words.

By Janice W

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Jan 9, 2021

This was an excellent course which gave me a much needed, thorough understanding of Indigenous people in Canada. As someone who was educated in Canada, I had learned some aspects of Indigenous history, but certainly not enough given the breadth of what I have now come to know through this course. The subjects presented were comprehensive and thoroughly interesting. I would certainly recommend this course not just to my fellow Canadians but to anyone who wants to learn more about this important area of history and culture.

By Danielle J

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Oct 4, 2020

Every single person in Canada should have to take this course! It has been so informative, I loved the artwork depicting and referencing the different themes of the course and all the archival footage. Thank you so much for offering this course and I will continue learning about and exploring many of the themes, politics, cultures and stories covered in the course. An excellent course for anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of issues and the 'narrative' around First Nations in Canada. Seriously, I really enjoyed it.

By Kayleigh K

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Aug 22, 2020

Thank you so much for offering this course for free. The course was thorough while still being introductory, and the modules are easily organized and accessible, allowing all levels of learners to complete at their own pace and preference. The instructors and guest interviews were very informative and engaging. This course offers an enjoyable and meaningful online learning experience that every Canadian should participate in, as this is information that should be taught to all from a young age but is not. Highly recommended!

By Galina W

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Feb 7, 2021

This course is eyeopening and fills the knowledge gap about the struggles the First Nations, Inuit and Metis have to face even today. The original artwork is not just an illustration but also speaks for itself. I would recommend it not just to every Canadian but to people around the globe who are interested in indigenous perspectives. It is a good starting point to deepening understanding of native thought, different and better suited to protect the land we live on, which we are just borrowing from the future generations.

By Michelle H

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Dec 13, 2020

Thank-you for creating a rich overview on key themes in "Indigenous Canada". I really enjoyed the inclusion of 'experts' in the indigenous community. Hearing more from indigenous youth would have been an asset; I have a bias because I teach High School. Including more images/photos in the videos alongside the moderators would also be an asset. I learn by seeing; when maps etc were provided, I felt my learning was deeper.

A couple of times, I do feel the answers may have been 'wrong' in the quiz. I may also be incorrect.

By Judy C

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Nov 25, 2020

This was a great course, I enjoyed every minute of it and learned so much. I have bragged about your course and regret not getting the paying to get the certificate to add to my many great accomplishments. I would suggest that you could at the end to have the option to buy the certificate of your accomplishment. Keep up the great work, hope I can continue my learning with the Indigenous learning, it is a great way to understand and move forward with reconciliation. Thank you again for putting this great course together.

By Denise J W

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Nov 8, 2020

I have always been proud to be ,native, aboriginal, indigenous, cree all the names we have been. My mom was the strongest woman I ever knew and I follow her strength. I loved this course I learned so much. I cried with Tracy Bear on the you tube discussions and I laughed with all of them. Kim Tallbear and Chris Andersen just blew me away with their strength and wisdom! I was mesmerized. If I was ever around them I would be smitten with their presence. Thank you Faculty of Native Studies, Tracy, Paul and Dan you guys rock!

By Les K

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Mar 22, 2023

Wonderful sharing of the history of the aboriginal peoples of Turtle Island that I had heard little of in all my years of education. As a settler, I loved the challenge to my view of the history of Canada. I grew up in Northern Ontario, and had played hockey with the local Indian Residential School and formed varied views of aboriginal peoples, some good, some bad through my interactions in my town. Reconciliation in Canada will happen through education as in this course. This course opened my heart. Thank you very much.