Systems: Leadership and Institutional Change

Description

This course takes a closer look at the relationship between stereotypes of Indigenous peoples and socio-political-economic systems in North America. Learners will examine how stereotypes are mobilized and will learn from real world examples of Indigenous resistance, leadership and lifeways.

Students will be provided with tools to critically analyze, intervene on, and reframe stereotypical narratives to support the work and actions Indigenous people are already undertaking.

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Learning Outcomes

• Recognize contemporary practices of colonialism within state systems such as healthcare, infrastructure, education, and the penal system, as well as public discourse.
• Provide examples of colonialism as an ongoing structure.
• Re-engage the concepts of dysfunction and the “deficit lens” as justification for settler colonialism.
• Gain introductory knowledge about Indigenous and settler interpretations of Treaty and how those relate to Canada today.
• Learn some of the history of Indigenous resistance and struggles to retain, regain, protect, and defend Indigenous lands, waters, and lifeways.
• Engage nuanced perspectives with Indigenous community and artistic responses to stereotypes.

Course / Module Outline

• “Why are so many of you in prison?” Settler Colonialism and Incarceration
• “The Stereotype of the Angry Native Protestor”
• “Why is your Family so Dysfunctional?” Current Methods of Assimilation
• “Can’t You Just Get Over It?” The Settler Problem