Course Outline
NATV 1240 Native Peoples of Canada, Part II Section A01
Winter Session 2011
Department: Native Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Course Times: Mon/Wed/Fri - 9:30 - 10:20 pm (Jan. 5 – April 8)
Location: 237 University College
Instructor’s Office: 126 Aboriginal House
Instructor: Dr. Bret Nickels
Phone #: 474-8850 Fax #: 474-7657
E-Mail: nickels@cc.umanitoba.ca
Office Hours: Mon. to Fri. 8:30am – 4:30 pm
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Course Objectives and Teaching Style
This course will introduce students to the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada by providing a contemporary
survey of their political, social, economic and cultural situations. While it will outline the history of colonization and
the long-term effects of the colonizing process on First Nations, Métis and Inuit, it will also highlight decolonization, resistance and sovereignty in its various modern manifestations. Given the interdisciplinary nature of
Native Studies, this introductory course approaches the various topics from a variety of different disciplinary
perspectives with emphasis on politics, anthropology, economics, health, education, justice, etc. Since this class is a
designated U-1 writing course, students are expected to get actively involved in their learning by contributing to
class discussions and by writing two academic essays and 5 journals that critically reflect upon specific aspects of
historical & contemporary Aboriginal society. Given the emphasis on student interaction and a teaching style that
presents information from a variety of sources, it is of utmost importance that students attend classes regularly.
General Course content & topics to be covered:
1. 60s Scoop & White Paper
2. Education & Justice Issues
3. Health issues & Economic Development
4. Land Claims & Self Government
Text Book:
Yale Belanger (2010), “Ways of Knowing: An Introduction to Native Studies in Canada” Students are to bring
their Belanger text to every class as their will frequent reference to the book’s maps, charts & diagrams.
Note: Instructor’s class notes will be available on the U of M Angel system. It should be noted that class lectures
will include material not on the class notes, so individual student attendance is required.
Method of Evaluation:
Essay #1
Test #1
Essay #2
Test #2
Journals (5)
25% (Due: Feb 9)
20% (Feb 16)
25% (March 16)
20% (April 8)
10% (TBA)
Assignment Descriptions:
Tests: Two 1 hour tests will include questions on proceeding lectures, guest lectures and corresponding readings.
Tests will consist of fill in the blank questions (based on names in bold in the class notes, as well as blackboard
names & terms highlighted during the lectures), and essay questions (based on the general themes covered in the
course). Test # 1 covers the period from Week 1 to Week 6. Test #2 covers Week 7 to Week 13.
Essays: As this course is designated as a writing course by the Faculty, it includes two major essays. Essay details
can be found on page 3 of this course outline.
Journals: The journal assignment serves several purposes. For one, it is neither a diary nor a class notebook, but
somewhere in between, coupling personal with academic learning and intended to help students make sense of the
course in their own way. In addition, a well-done journal should help with the review for tests as well as strengthen
critical reading, thinking and writing skills. A student who submits all journals on time, adheres to the required topic
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and required length (2 pages, at 12 point font) and either demonstrates good writing skills or a serious effort at
improving those skills, will get the full 10% of the participation mark. The assignments will be commented on, but
not graded. (Due Dates TBA)
Late or Missed Assignments: As a rule, it is the student’s responsibility to submit their assignments in class
on or before the due date. Late assignments (timeline & essay not submitted in class on the due date) and missed
tests and exams will receive a mark of zero (no exceptions, other than for health or compassionate reasons as long as
the student provides documentation - i.e. a signed medical certificate or some form of proof must be submitted to the
instructor with appropriate dates). Furthermore, there are no make-up tests or exams for students with low marks. If
at all possible, any problems students may have with due dates should be brought to the instructor’s attention before
the respective date. The student is responsible for keeping track of due dates, lecture notes, and readings. Please DO
NOT ask the instructor for notes, hand-outs etc. as it is the students responsibility to procure all materials from
missed lecture days from fellow students. Therefore, it is a good idea to get an e-mail or phone numbers from fellow
students in order to procure notes for days missed. It is also expected that all students will respect class times and
refrain from walking in late or missing classes (Note: attendance will be taken). Cell phones are to be turned off
during classes and no one is to leave the classroom after commencement of lectures, as it disrupts the class. Private
conversations and any classroom disruptions will not be tolerated, and can result in the student (or students) being
asked to leave the classroom. You have been warned!!
Grading scale for this course is as follows:
Letter grade
A+
A
B+
B
C+
C
D
F
Percentage range
Description
92 – 100
81 – 91
75 – 80
69 – 74
64 – 68
57 – 63
50 – 56
less than 50
Exceptional
Excellent
Very good
Good
Satisfactory
Adequate
Marginal
Failure
Note: All final grades are subject to departmental review. Evaluations of assignments will be returned to those
students who request such evaluations before the deadline for voluntary withdrawal on March 18, 2011 (see
2010/11 Undergraduate Calendar for refund schedule). The Final Test (Test #2) will not be handed back to
students, though special arrangements can be made to view such material if requested by e-mailing the instructor
and setting up an appointment.
General Academic Regulations & Requirements:
Plagiarism and Cheating: Plagiarism or any other form of cheating in examinations, term tests or
academic work is subject to serious academic penalty (e.g. suspension or expulsion from the faculty or
university). Cheating in examinations or tests may take the form of copying from another student or
bringing unauthorized materials into the exam room (e.g., crib notes, pagers or cell phones). Exam cheating
can also include exam impersonation. (Please see Section 4.2.8 on Exam Personation). A student found
guilty of contributing to cheating in examinations or term assignments is also subject to serious academic
penalty. To plagiarize is to take ideas or words of another person and pass them off as one's own. In short,
it is stealing something intangible rather than an object. Plagiarism applies to any written work, in
traditional or electronic format, as well as orally or verbally presented work. Obviously it is not necessary
to state the source of well known or easily verifiable facts, but students are expected to appropriately
acknowledge the sources of ideas and expressions they use in their written work, whether quoted directly or
paraphrased. This applies to diagrams, statistical tables and the like, as well as to written material, and
materials or information from Internet sources. To provide adequate and correct documentation is not only
an indication of academic honesty but is also a courtesy which enables the reader to consult these sources
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with ease. Failure to provide appropriate citations constitutes plagiarism. It will also be considered
plagiarism and/or cheating if a student submits a term paper written in whole or in part by someone other
than him/herself, or copies the answer or answers of another student in any test, examination, or take-home
assignment. Working with other students on assignments, laboratory work, take-home tests, or on-line tests,
when this is not permitted by the instructor, can constitute Inappropriate Collaboration and may be subject
to penalty under the Student Discipline By-Law. An assignment which is prepared and submitted for one
course should not be used for a different course. This is called "duplicate submission" and represents a form
of cheating because course requirements are expected to be fulfilled through original work for each course.
When in doubt about any practice, ask your professor or instructor. The Student Advocacy Office, 519
University Centre, 474-7423, is a resource available to students dealing with Academic Integrity matters.
Attendance at Class and Debarment: Regular attendance is expected of all students in all courses. An
instructor may initiate procedures to debar a student from attending classes and from final examinations
and/or from receiving credit where unexcused absences exceed those permitted by the faculty or school
regulations. A student may be debarred from class, laboratories, and examinations by action of the
dean/director for persistent non-attendance, failure to produce assignments to the satisfaction of the
instructor. Students so debarred will have failed that course. In this course, students will lose 6 marks for
every 3 classes absent without a valid excuse (Note: attendance will be taken each class).
Appeals of Term Work: Term grades may be appealed up to ten working days after the grades are made
available to students. Please refer to the U of M General Calendar for additional information.
Complaints: Generally, a complaint by a student should be immediately dealt with by the Instructor and the student.
If this cannot be done, either party should go to the Department Head. Please refer to the Native Studies Policy on
Student Complaints available in the Native Studies General Office.
Essay Instructions
Due (both essays are due by 9:30pm on the following dates):
 Essay #1 Due: Feb 9, 2010
 Essay #2 Due: March 16, 2010
Length: 9-10 typed pages, not including title page and bibliography (references cited), Essay is to be in
APA format (see an APA Guide for information), double-spaced, 12 point font, and essay is to contain a
minimum of 5 references (though be aware that some essays depending on how they are written will
require more references)
Specifics:
A) Essay #1: Referencing sources from film, TV, print media (newspaper & magazines) and/or
literature, discuss the images and stereotypes of Aboriginal people in Canada. You must
B) Essay #2: Explain how contemporary Aboriginal People have contributed to North America.
These contributions can be in the Arts, Sciences, Politics, Athletics or the Military (among others).
(more information TBA in class)
Cover Page: to include title of essay student name, student number, date, course name and number and
instructor’s name.
Marking Criteria: You will be evaluated on research skills, writing skills & structure, accurate
referencing, organization of content, analysis, and ability to answer question (see “Rules of Thumb for
Letter Grades” hand-out). Please note that many internet source are questionable as academic sources (i.e.
Wikipedia). If unsure, please consult instructor prior to utilizing internet sources. As a result, essays should
not use only internet sources. It is expected that students will purchase or have in their possession an APA
Style Guide to help with referencing and essay writing. If unsure of what APA referencing is, please see
instructor! Please begin the essay as soon as possible – do not leave the essay to the last moment, as there
will be no arrangements for extensions (other than for extreme medical reasons). Instructor can review
outlines (in point form), but cannot review any drafts of your work in order to keep things fair to all
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students. Essays are to be handed in by class time (no later than 9:30) on their respective due dates. In an
emergency (and with prior arrangement), students may e-mail essay to (nickels@cc.umanitoba.ca), but
essays must arrive by 9:30pm on the due date. No exceptions (unless you provide documentation). Late
essays will receive a mark of zero!!
Course Schedule:
Week 1 (Jan. 5-7): Introduction: Course Outline & Historical Background
Week 2 (Jan 10-14): 1950s-1960s: Indian Act Amendments, 60s Scoop & White Paper
(Read Chapter 6 for Week 3)
Week 3 (Jan 17-21): The Metis & Inuit
(Read Ch. 8 for Week 4)
Week 4 (Jan 24-28): Aboriginal Organizations & Aboriginal Politics
(Read Chapter 5 for Week 5)
Week 5 (Jan 31-Feb 4): The Indian Act & Indian Affairs
(See Class Notes on Angel)
Week 6 (Feb 7-11): (Essay #1 Due: Feb 9) Education & Employment
(Read: Chapter 9 for Week 7)
Week 7 (Feb 14-18): (Test #1) Justice Issues
(Read: Chapter 12 for Week 8)
Week 8 (Feb 21-25): Health Issues
(Read: Chapter 13 for Week 9)
Week 9 (Feb 28-March 4): Communications
(Read: Chapter 14 for Week 10)
Week 10 (March 7-11): Urban Issues
(See Class Notes on Angel)
Week 11 (March 14-18): (Essay #2 Due: March 16) Rights & Land Claims
(Read: Chapter 11 for Week 12)
Week 12 (March 21-25): Economic Development
(Read: Chapter 10 for Week 13)
Week 13 (March 28-April 1): Oka, RCAP & Self-Government
(See Class Notes on Angel)
Week 14 (April 4-8): (Test #2) Evaluations & Review
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