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| McGill Indigenous Studies Program | |
|---|---|
| Name | McGill Indigenous Studies Program |
| Established | 1990s |
| Type | Academic program |
| City | Montreal |
| Province | Quebec |
| Country | Canada |
| Campus | Downtown Campus |
McGill Indigenous Studies Program The program is an interdisciplinary unit at McGill University engaging with Indigenous nations, scholars, and communities across Turtle Island and beyond. It connects faculty and students with Indigenous leaders such as Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Taiaiake Alfred, Ellen Gabriel, and institutions like Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and Métis National Council to advance research, teaching, and advocacy. The program situates Indigenous knowledge alongside scholars from Anthropology, History, Political Science, and partners with organizations including Native Women’s Association of Canada, Indigenous Corporate Training Inc., and Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada.
The Program offers interdisciplinary courses that draw on Indigenous perspectives exemplified by figures such as Deborah McGregor, Glen Coulthard, Rita Joe, Shiri Pasternak, and collaborations with institutions like Canadian Federation of Students, National Research Council Canada, Institut national de la recherche scientifique. It emphasizes protocols rooted in treaties such as the Treaty of Grand River, Treaty 7, James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and works with cultural custodians including Harold Cardinal, E. Pauline Johnson, Kenojuak Ashevak, and Bill Reid.
Originating from earlier Indigenous initiatives at McGill influenced by activists like George Manuel, Mary Two-Axe Early, and scholars including F. L. Morton, the Program formalized in the 1990s amid national dialogues after the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and policy shifts around the Constitution Act, 1982 and Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. Key milestones involved partnerships with Kahnawake Education Center, Mohawk College, and agreements with provincial bodies such as Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur (Québec). Visiting scholars and lecturers have included Angela Cavender Wilson, Jeff Corntassel, Sakari Tamminen, and exchanges with universities like University of British Columbia, Trinity College Dublin, and Australian National University.
Course offerings integrate teachings from Indigenous knowledge-holders and academics such as Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Taiaiake Alfred, Glen Coulthard, Sage Van Wing, linking to modules on law influenced by jurists like Beverley McLachlin and frameworks such as United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Degree pathways align with McGill faculties including Faculty of Arts, School of Social Work, and collaborations with professional programs like Faculty of Law and Desautels Faculty of Management. Practicums and fieldwork place students with partners such as Assembly of First Nations, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Council of Yukon First Nations and cross-listings with courses taught by faculty affiliated with Department of History, Department of Anthropology, and School of Indigenous Relations.
Research themes involve land, language, health, and cultural revitalization with projects led by scholars tied to centres like McGill Institute for the Study of Canada, Centre for Indigenous Peoples’ Nutrition and Environment, and collaborations with labs at Université Laval and University of Toronto. Grants and fellowships have come from agencies such as Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and partnerships with organizations like Canadian Heritage and Parks Canada. Notable research outputs engage with archival collections including materials related to James Bay Project, The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and artists like Norval Morrisseau.
The Program maintains long-term ties with communities including Kahnawake, Akwesasne, Mi'kmaq Grand Council, Huron-Wendat Nation, and urban Indigenous organizations such as Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal and Indigenous Montreal. Collaborative initiatives include cultural programming with museums like the Canadian Museum of History, joint workshops with National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, and co-designed training with bodies such as Indigenous Services Canada and Provincial Association of Native Friendship Centres. Public events have featured speakers from National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation and partnerships with media outlets like APTN.
Students come from nations including Cree, Inuit, Métis, Mi'kmaq, Haudenosaunee, and international Indigenous communities represented by alumni who have worked with organizations such as World Health Organization, United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and Amnesty International. Faculty members have included scholars such as Sámi academics, visiting professors from University of Victoria, and researchers granted awards like the Polanyi Prize and appointments to bodies like the Royal Society of Canada. Student groups and student-led initiatives collaborate with campus organizations including McGill Student Union and Indigenous Students of McGill.
The Program draws on resources at McGill libraries and archives including the Nahum Gelber Law Library, McGill Libraries, and special collections relating to figures like Edward Cornwallis and documents such as the Royal Proclamation of 1763. It uses dedicated spaces for ceremony and teaching in partnership with campus units like Chaplaincy at McGill and community-run cultural centres such as Kanehsatà:ke Cultural Centre. Digital resources and databases link to repositories maintained by institutions like Library and Archives Canada and research networks including the Canadian Research Knowledge Network.
Category:McGill University Category:Indigenous studies programs in Canada