First Nations Studies Program

 

First Nations Studies

 

Welcome to the First Nations Studies Webpage for the University of Western Ontario.  A new addition to the University in 2003, the First Nations Studies Program offers minor, major and honors specialization modules.

Program

First Nations Studies is an interdisciplinary program based in the Faculty of Social Science.  The program crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries to explore the role of First Nations peoples in Canadian society, with special emphasis on the Hodenosaunee (Iroquoian) and Anishnabwe (Ojibwe, Delaware, Potawatomi) traditions of southwestern Ontario.  Some courses are offered within the FNS program.  Others are cross-listed with Social Science, Arts, Information and Media Studies and the professional schools.  The program engages political, legal, cultural and linguistic perspectives on the First Nations, insofar as possible through the standpoints and voices of Aboriginal people.  Both Native and non-Native students are welcomed to share their perspectives.

Careers

The broad interdisciplinary training of First Nations scholars prepares them for careers in private, non-profit and government sectors, especially for employment by Aboriginal organizations and communities.  The program also provides a sound basis for professional schools, including law, medicine, health sciences, education, and business.  Students may specialize in anthropology, history, archaeology, humanities, media, and politics.  New specializations are being developed in response to student needs.