ENGL 202 Canadian Literature I: Indigenous Voices. From the earliest narratives, Euro Canadian writing has framed our understanding of Indigenous peoples. We will examine the works of Indigenous writers from across Canada. Reading and discussion will give us an opportunity to understand First People's literature, including the response to colonialism, and to experience the vitality of First People's cultures, imaginations, and ways of knowing.
Prerequisites: ENGL 110 with a minimum grade of 60%
Crosslisted: INDG 202
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 15 |
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| Total Credits | |
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| Total Hours | 45 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 3 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- Identify and express key indigenous tenets, protocols, ethics and values of an indigenous paradigm
- Identify multiple Indigenous authors and their compositions
- Compare the Western world view to Indigenous ways of knowing
- Examine settler and Indigenous relationships
- Identify key elements of resilience, residential, resistance, and reconciliation imbedded in indigenous literature
- Analyze Indigenous prose, poetry and drama through an Indigenous lens
- Utilize MLA documentation system
Teaching and Learning Approach
INDG202 / ENGL202 includes three instructional hours per week. Classes consist of a combination of lectures,
small group hands-on activities, discussion, guest lectures, and audiovisual materials.Learning Resources
Required:
Ruffo, Armand Garnet, and Katherena Vermette, editors. An Anthology of Indigenous Literatures in English:
Voices from Canada. 5th ed., Oxford University Press Canada, 2020. (10 of the older editions are available on
reserve in the library)
Rice, Waubgeshig. Moon of the Crusted Snow: A Novel. ECW Press, 2018.
Selected Handouts (in class):
Tomson Highway, Greg Younging, Jeanette Armstrong, Leroy Little Bear, Thomas King, Various Creation Stories,
Various Authors
Recommended Additions:
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
Writing resource: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. Introduction to the Course
2. Introduction to Indigenous Literatures & Orature Focus: Foundations, Orature, and Histories
3. Indigenous Worldviews: with Guest Speaker, Elizabeth Furguson, Ahgaabeeksaki, Many Birds Woman, MA Focus: Land, Kinship, and Relationality
4. WEEK 3 (Sept 28–Oct 4): Intersections of Story and Identity Theme: Reclaiming Voice through Literature
5. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation This week, our class will meet at the Flag Raising Ceremony on Monday, September 29, 2025 | 2:15pm - 3:15pm, Castlegar, Front Lawn, Main Entrance. We won't be having a traditional class; instead, please participate in one of the many events that mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Here's a link to the events organized through Selkirk College: https://selkirk.ca/about-selkirk/reconciliation/national-day-truth- and-reconciliation Write a reflection 200-500 words on an activity you attended this week to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (bring it to class next week (Oct. 6) to hand in - be ready to share some of your thoughts in class) Readings: 10 Principles of Reconciliation Orange Shirt Day Design Carries Profound Meaning Events (attend at least one): Flag-Raising Ceremony Orange Shirt Beading: Tuesday, September 24; Thursday, September 26 Selkirk Reads! Event: Friday, September 27, 2024 | 12pm - 1pm More Resources and Events
6. Trickster, Coyote, and Subversion Focus: Trickster figures, narrative disruption, cultural survival.
7. Language, Power, and Reclamation Focus: Language Loss and Recovery, Residential school legacies, poetry of reclamation.
8. Moon of the Crusted Snow, pt. 1 Theme: Collapse, Crisis, and Continuity
9. Moon of the Crusted Snow, pt. 2 Theme: Survival, Tradition, and Community
10. WEEK 9 (Nov 9–15): Moon of the Crusted Snow, pt. 3 Theme: Return, Ceremony, and Leadership
11. Reading Week: No Class
12. Humour, Irony, and Indigenous Resilience Theme: Laughter as Medicine
13. Indigenous Futurisms & Speculative Storytelling Theme: Imagining Indigenous Futures, Innovation, renewal, and future-building
14. Closing Circle + Research Presentations
15. Exam WeekAssessment
| Title | Learning Outcomes | Value |
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| Engaged Participation | | 10% |
| Reader's Response | | 20% |
| Written In-Class Reflections on Readings | | 10% |
| Seminar Presentation | | 20% |
| Final Exam / Course Reflection | | 10% |
| Research Paper + Presentation of Research | | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
Grading Table
Standard Academic and Career Programs Grading Table
| Percentage |
Letter Grade |
GPA |
| 90-100 |
A+ |
4.33 |
| 85-89 |
A |
4.00 |
| 80-84 |
A- |
3.67 |
| 76-79 |
B+ |
3.33 |
| 72-75 |
B |
3.00 |
| 68-71 |
B- |
2.67 |
| 64-67 |
C+ |
2.33 |
| 60-63 |
C |
2.00 |
| 55-59 |
C- |
1.67 |
| 50-54 |
P |
1.00 |
| 0-49 |
F |
0.00 |
| |
DNW |
0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.