Introduction to Native and Indigenous Studies

This course explores international Indigenous perspectives, experiences and historical impacts of Indigenous peoples around the world in a contemporary global environment. We will examine the complex intercultural dynamics of colonial and post-colonial societies, placing the experience of Native peoples of North America in the larger context of other Indigenous peoples living in settler colonial societies, for example, Maori of Aotearoa – NewZealand and Quechua people of Peru. We will examine Indigenous peoples’ connections with territories, resources, and efforts to protect their knowledge systems and sovereignty. Also, through a comparative approach, we will study Indigenous and Western research paradigms.