ENVR 250 Indigenous Rights and Environmental Management is an introduction to Indigenous cultures and traditional practices as foundational teachings of sustainability. The overarching focus of the course is recognizing and acknowledging Indigenous rights and traditional knowledge as they relate to environmental management.
With a two-eyed seeing approach, topics associated with environmental management will be viewed through the lens of Indigenous Rights and Truth and Reconciliation. The four main overlapping themes of the course are Indigenous cultures & practices, legislation, treaties, and Indigenous vs. Western approaches to environmental management and protection.
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:
- Recognize diversity of Indigenous cultures, languages, perceptions, beliefs, and ceremonies
- Apply terminology specific to Indigenous Nations, cultures and identities, including legal terms and Indigenous rights cases
- Examine how terminology and priorities connect and apply to Indigenous rights and environmental management & protection
- Describe traditional Indigenous land management strategies and practices, and how they can contribute to ethical environmental management and protection
- Research authentic sources of information relating to Indigenous Nations
- Reflect on the mechanisms of colonization, assimilation, and cultural genocide used against Indigenous peoples, such as treaty-making and legislation that infringes on Indigenous rights and practices
- Practice respectful engagement, consultation, and collaboration with Indigenous Nations and/or individuals (including leaders, Elders and Knowledge-Keepers), to build awareness of diverse Indigenous protocol and conduct
Teaching and Learning Approach
Rich experiential learning opportunities aim to initiate respectful engagement and collaboration with diverse
Indigenous community members. Through heightened personal awareness of cultural safety and humility,
students will have diverse tools to be successful in the journey toward truth and reconciliation within
environmental management.
Learner activities are rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems and include guest lectures with Indigenous
Knowledge-Keepers and Elders, on-the-land learning, Indigenous documentaries and readings, and an
introduction to Indigenous languages.
Major projects focus on Truth & Reconciliation, vetting and appropriate implementation of Indigenous sources of
knowledge in research, hosting a gathering for Indigenous students and community, and Indigenous relations
competencies.Learning Resources
Required:
The course will use a variety of readings, audio recordings, and documentaries involving Indigenous realities and
environmental management. Sources will include unappropriated Indigenous perspectives and traditions,
including first-hand knowledge-transfer from members of local communities and partner Nations, as well as
Western views.
Overall, resources will reflect the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (and support the
practice of respectful and meaningful collaboration with Indigenous peoples). No course book is required.
Please Note: The ENVR 250 Moodle site will be the main location for course materials, up-to-date weekly
class activities and directions, outlines for deliverables, and additional learning resources.
Some course documents can be printed upon request.Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. Land Acknowledgements Cultural Humility & Cultural Competence
2. Introduction to Indigenous peoples, identity, & environment
3. UNDRIP, DRIPA, & Bill C-15 TRC Calls to Action The Duty to Consult
4. Land-based learning and reflection
5. Treaty Rights and the Environment
6. Reading week
7. Indigenous Case Law
8. Indigenous Sacred Law
9. Guest Speaker
10. Political and social dimensions of Indigenous knowledge and environmental management
11. Indigenous knowledge and environmental management
12. RFW Field Trip
13. Term Project Presentations
14. No Final ExamAssessment
| Title | Learning Outcomes | Value |
|---|
| Assignments | 1 to 7 | 40% |
| Term Project and Presentation | 1 to 7 | 40% |
| Discussion Contributions | 1 to 7 | 20% |
| 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.