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Department Head: Dr. Niigaan Sinclair
Native Studies focuses on critical examinations of the societal processes that have had, and continue to have an effect on the Indigenous peoples of Canada (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) both before and after the time of European colonization. It is an interdisciplinary field of study that explores a variety of established academic disciplines in the humanities and social sciences in order to produce new forms of knowledge, new ways of thinking, and creative approaches to teaching and conducting research. Although courses have been offered since 1972, the Department of Native studies was not formally established until 1974. As of now, the Department of Native Studies offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree (both, a 3 year and a 4 year Advanced Major), as well as a Master of Arts degree, and a recently established PhD program. (Click HERE to view a PDF file of a more thorough history of the development of the department) As a student, you can rest assured of the quality and diversity of education you will receive from our faculty members. Each faculty member specializes in a different field that ranges from the arts and literature, to business, to politics, to traditional knowledge. Our department strives to challenge existing institutional paradigms, as well as raise the bar of generally accepted research practices and teaching standards. The Native Studies program at the University of Manitoba is an international leader in the field that is committed to establishing outstanding scholarship relating to the historical and contemporary position of the Indigenous peoples of Canada. Our location is ideally situated; we are in the heart of North America, where the first treaties since the Confederation of Canada were signed 140 years ago, as well as where Louis Riel staged his Métis resistance during the Red River rebellion. Our programs enable students to think creatively, logically, and critically. Aside from learning about Indigenous history and gaining an understanding of unique worldviews, our students gain skills in research, qualitative interviewing and fieldwork, as well as in refining their writing ability. Our graduates have attained careers with Indigenous organizations (both, regional and national), the federal, provincial, and municipal governments of Canada, public health, law firms, law enforcement, politics, public relations, local community organizations, business, museums, social services agencies, research centres, private consulting, media, schools, non-profit organizations, among others. We are an international leader in the field, committed to outstanding scholarship relating to the historical and contemporary position of Aboriginal peoples. Our unique location at the geographic heart of the continent reinforces our unique position between Aboriginal and Western world views. Our sensitivity to Aboriginal perspectives reflects the nature of this extraordinary mandate. We strive to foster a wide understanding of Aboriginal issues within the University and beyond. The department promotes interdisciplinary research and creative pedagogies which challenge existing paradigns and raise generally accepted research and teaching standards. The department offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree (3 year or 4 year Advanced Major), a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. All of the core faculty member have doctoral degrees and are involved in ‘cutting edge' research in the humanities and social sciences. The Native Studies Department has close ties to the community that it serves. A number of courses are offered off campus within the City of Winnipeg, or in community based programs throughout Manitoba and beyond. The summer school program on Baffin Island is just one example. The department also sponsors a wide range of activities both within the University and with the community outside. These activities include a speaker's series, academic conferences, an annual publication, international student exchange opportunities and an annual elders and traditional peoples gathering. We welcome all students and offer them an opportunity to learn about Aboriginal peoples through the critical thinking, research, writing and interpretive skills they will need to fulfill their individual goals.
