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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Indigenous Canada by University of Alberta

4.8
stars
21,725 ratings

About the Course

Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores the different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous peoples living in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores complex experiences Indigenous peoples face today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations. Topics for the 12 lessons include the fur trade and other exchange relationships, land claims and environmental impacts, legal systems and rights, political conflicts and alliances, Indigenous political activism, and contemporary Indigenous life, art and its expressions....

Top reviews

MD

Jul 2, 2021

This course was very interesting and very informative. Not only did it help correct stereotypes or prejudices, it showed a wide range of subjects pertaining to global and specific Indigenous cultures.

LJ

May 5, 2022

I really enjoyed this course. I liked that it was taught by indigenous peoples from their perspective. I feel much more confident in my knowledge regarding indigenous issues and traditions. Thank you!

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676 - 700 of 7,644 Reviews for Indigenous Canada

By Cassandra T

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Nov 3, 2021

I love how Indigenous Perspectives and worldviews are integrated into the course structure. There is an emphasis on understanding instead of rigid standardized testing that I appreciated as a learner. The inclusion of transcriptions for the videos also helped me greatly, as I learn best through audio and reading. Thanks for a wonderful learning experience and for giving me the privilege of learning from great Indigenous scholars. I will take this knowledge forward with me to become a better ally to my students.

By Ebba K

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Mar 10, 2021

Fantastic course! For anyone who wants to learn about Indigenous people in what we now call Canada I would highly recommend taking this course. Topics were interesting and thought provoking, and the contents are taught in a brilliant way. This course has helped me understand the history and how we got to where we are today. I feel like I have a solid foundation to keep pursuing knowledge of contemporary issues facing Indigenous people, government policies and understanding how I can contribute in positive ways.

By Shelley K

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Jan 1, 2021

Knowing that I had some Indigenous ancestry always made me want to know more about culture and history beyond that learned in the regular school curriculum. Finding and participating in this course has opened my eyes to many of the issues which my ancestors my have faced both on the settler and Indigenous side. I found the course very well laid out and informative. It leaves me eager to further explore my roots and determine my own role in the diverse culture of our country. Thank you for making this available.

By Sharifa D R

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Jun 18, 2018

This course was an amazing introductory course to Indigenous Worldview, Community, and History. The only way humanity can do better, is to educate themselves of failures and wrongdoings in the past. #preventhistoryfromrepeatingitself I hope this course acts as a staring point for people who want to know more about the Indigenous land we are inhabiting. As mentioned in the course there is much more knowledge to be learned, and I am sad the course was not longer. I Highly recommend this course to every Canadian!

By Carol S

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Jun 13, 2022

I found the quizzes challenging! They caused me to ponder the choices of answers. The course was very detailed. I will never remember the many details. I feel I have a better view of Indigenous history, cultures, colonialism and their respect for the land. I wish this course would have been introduced in my grade eight class. To study and be taught by a knowledgeable teacher and learn indepth about indigenous people who cared for this country and lived on this land before Columbus ever thought of coming here!

By June H

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Aug 4, 2021

A deeply humble and sincere thank you to all instructors responsible in designing this informative course from a 65 year old Albertan woman (settler background) who has been woefully unaware of the history and persistant discrimination faced by our indigenous peoples of Canada. I stand in need of deep forgiveness for my ignorance and hope this is a new beginning in that I can pass on and encourage those in my circle to dig deep and seek out truth. I will be highly recommending this course as a great antidote.

By Veronika M

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Nov 27, 2020

This was an incredible introduction and starting point for my learning about Indigenous peoples and their interwoven experiences in Canada. At times, it was truly sobering and humbling to witness the recollections and present descriptions of colonial violence against Indigenous peoples. However, it is also clear that Indigenous peoples are resilient, purposeful, and extremely talented. I look forward to learning, recognizing, and witnessing more Indigenous-related stories in my community and across the nation.

By Gwendolyn F

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Jun 5, 2017

Indigenous Canada Course has opened my understanding of the powers that be and the destruction this power had/has over so much.

How Indigenous people held on to their culture in various ways to continue into the present, traditionally with modern inclusion.

How the Aborigine in Australia have used the North America Indigenous/Aboriginal culture to parallel with theirs.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity of learning more of the cultures where I came from and gaining an appreciation for original "Canadians".

By Debbie W

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May 29, 2022

Comprehensive learning opportunity. This course provided compelling indigenous world views that have been isolated and discounted through colonization. All peoples would benefit from completing this course, the indigenous for respect, validation and dignity and all others to get their eyes opened to what relly happened to a culture with high values, traditions and respect for all living creatures.

Thank you for the personal approach to learning through art and story. This course has changed me as a humanbeing.

By Carolyn Y L

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Dec 30, 2020

Very informative training on the culture and history of the indigenous peoples of Canada and their interaction and relationship with the Euro-centric Federal government. It was very interesting to learn about their historical and continued mistreatment; but also heartening to see that the Canadian government is making strides in improving the relationships and treatment, whether by their own initiative or as a result of court action. this course makes me want to further my studies in the areas that it covers.

By Erin M

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Nov 26, 2020

Thank you to the University of Alberta Native Studies team for all of the work to create this course and share it with us. I have learned so much about Indigenous peoples and Canadian history, about which I (as an American) knew very little. The material was a great introduction to a complex and dynamic area of study. I was inspired to learn more outside of the course and to try to take actions to support Indigenous peoples. One of my favorite parts was reflecting on the lessons through Leah Dorion's art.

By martin t

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Jan 8, 2022

This was an engaging and powerful introduction to indigenous studies. I learned so much that I was not taught in public school growing up in Canada. Each module could serve as a dedicated full course, and even then there would remain so much more to learn and undrstand.

This course has ingnited a fire of curiosity and conviction in my personal journey to seek truth and reconciliation with our vital indigenous peoples and communities.

Thank you to the instructors, contributors, and the University of Alberta.

By Judith F

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Dec 10, 2020

I have thoroughly enjoyed the course and am very happy that it was offered. I learned so much about the history of Canada that was not taught to me in school and I thank you for that because it should have been in the curriculum. The course material was so important and I appreciated the work that went into designing an 'introductory' course like this. The presenters were easy to follow and were passionate about the course material. I felt that the interviews and the art enriched the course.

Thank you.

By Brenda A

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Nov 23, 2020

This was a really informative and engaging course. I wish there had been more interviews with a variety of speakers, not just academics. I wish there had been more interviews with native speakers, as it was so engaging to hear a story in a language not often heard. I also found it frustrating during the arts section of the course to showcase so little of the pieces made by the artists mentioned. I saw no examples of artists' work and seemed a missed opportunity to flesh out the course with modern Native art.

By D T

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Nov 8, 2020

Well done and definitely "moving and thought provoking". Tracy Bear you are truly an amazing woman. Fantastic guest speakers. As a non-Indigenous Canadian I have taken a university course many years ago when Thomas King was at the U of L. This course (plus age and maturity) has broadened, enlightened and enriched my worldview as a Canadian, as a human. I found this course because of Dan Levy (big fan since "Schitts Creek" began) and it's been a highlight of my week to follow the discussions on Youtube.

By Stefanie K

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Jul 26, 2020

Not only were the instructors delivering the content in a spectacular way, but the voice-overs of chiefs, as well as the interviews with members of the community really put the entire course together. The history being told was such an eye-opener and helped to structure my support further for the Indigenous community. The interactive paintings at the end were so beautiful and well done, and it really shows the depth of history. I will begin to educate those around me with this authentic knowledge. Thank you!

By Kim R

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Jun 3, 2017

This course was truly inspiring and eye-opening. Each and every Canadian should take this course in order to educate him or her to the complexities of Indigenous peoples' history and culture. As an educator for 30 years, I wish that I had been more knowledgeable of the struggles and history, so that I could have better taught my students. I hope that more courses such as the one you have provided will be made available, so that myself and others can further our studies. Thank you so much for this opportunity

By Christina S

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Jul 30, 2021

This was a thought provoking course, and provided a greater understanding of Canada's true history and informed me about the atrocities committed against our Indigenous Communities. I am 52 years old and had no idea about the atrocities Indigenous children and families endured at the Residential Schools. Today in 2021 it is unacceptable that Indigenous communities still do not have access to clean water, or even that racism in any form still exists. Thank you for opening my eyes to the realities that exist.

By Andrew B

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Aug 6, 2020

This course was fantastic. There were a few glitches here and there, but they were merely technical. As someone who should know more, but knew almost nothing about the history of the country where I was born and the peoples who it belongs to, I now have an entire notebook of notes. I think that this course provided an extremely in-depth overview and I cannot wait to dive deeper into these histories and complex societies. I even picked up The Indigenous Peoples of Canada Atlas collection for further reading.

By Julia K

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Nov 23, 2020

This is an opportunity to really begin to understand the history and culture of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. The course flows well as it takes you from an overview of Indigenous worldviews, governance, social structures, the arts, and activism. The hard realities of their past and the lasting effects of colonialism are important to know and acknowledge. This course has inspired a new understanding of the people we share this land with and how we all can support one another as caretakers of this world.

By Ki C D H

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Sep 5, 2022

Great overview, as well as selection of resources for a very large body of material. There's definitely a lot more to delve into.

Self-paced learning works really well for me, and the material was very engaging. (With various methods of interaction for futher enhancement). I do think a follow up for further resources/self-guided reading for interested learners at the end of the course will help, though the citations are also a good leaping point though I have not looked too much into their accessibility.

By Stephen W

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Aug 20, 2021

An excellent course that I highly recommend. It really opened my eyes to the true history of what's now known as Canada and the destructive effects of colonialism that still are harming FIrst Peoples. I appreciated the delivery style of the course including Dr Bear and the other lecturers/guests, and gained much from the optimistic art and spirit of Leah Dorion whose paintings (and explanations of them) were the closing pieces of each module. Thank you, University of Alberta Native Studies, and Coursera.

By Jazmyn-Rae D

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Aug 5, 2020

I was raised on community and attended school in a small town just outside. I went to a French Immersion school until grade 10, until my parents let me make the decision on whether or not I will complete highschool with French under my belt. After this course, it helped me better understand my culture and what my ancestors have done to ensure I gave the tools I need to continue our battles for our rights. This course was taught at a great paste and offered great learning tools, I highly suggest enrolling.

By Jasmine T

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Jan 9, 2021

I am so glad this course is a requirement to apply for some professional programs at U of A. This course is eye-opening and especially essential for those of us living on settled land in Canada, and it's a shame more people are not exposed to this truth and reality that is not taught in the classroom. I have learned so much about Indigenous history, cultures, and perspectives, both through the course content and by researching and reading up for more information on the internet. Well done to the faculty!

By Michael A D

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Jan 5, 2021

Hello. I did my best to park my old worldview, which was shaped through decades of Eurocentric learning and misconceptions. I believe that I was helped through this excellent learning process by the fact that I have lived in highly indigenous populated locations for most of my entire life, and worked with many indigenous folks 'in the bush'. It is my intention to spread word of this course near and far, and it will come with my highest recommendation.

Well done, and May the Forest Be With You

Mike Dempsey