COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in Indigenous Governance is a full-time, flexible graduate program designed to develop advanced knowledge and leadership skills in Indigenous governance, self-determination, and community-based decision-making. The program is delivered through a combination of standard graduate seminars, summer institute courses, and intensive learning formats, allowing students to engage in a structure that accommodates both academic and community commitments. Students are required to complete a core set of courses that build foundational understanding of Indigenous governance systems and related fields. These include IGOV510 (Indigenous Introduction to Local Lands, Waters and Languages), IGOV520 (Foundations of Indigenous Governance), IGOV530 (Indigenous Research Methods), IGOV550 (Indigenous Peoples and Self Determination in a Global Context), IGOV570 (Indigenous Feminism and Resistance), and IGOV575 (Mentorship). The mentorship component, worth 1.5 units, is a compulsory and integral part of the program, involving close academic guidance and supervision. In addition, students complete 1.5 units of an approved elective in a related field. The program culminates in either IGOV598, a Community Governance Project, or IGOV599, a Thesis, each worth 6.0 units, allowing students to apply their learning to either a community-based or research-focused outcome. Overall, the program combines rigorous academic study with experiential and community-engaged learning to prepare graduates for leadership roles in Indigenous governance.