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INDIGENOUS STUDIES OUR HISTORY
Trent University was the first university in North America to establish a department dedicated to the study of Aboriginal Peoples. Established in 1969 as the Indian-Eskimo Studies Program and later in 1972 as the Department of Native Studies, the program led the way for other programs in Canada. In 2006, the Department changed its name to Indigenous Studies.
The program, from its earliest times, set as its mission the education of students about the realities of Aboriginal life in Canada and abroad. The goal was to create a cadre of leaders and allies who would work over the course of their lifetimes to create new realities for Aboriginal peoples in this country and elsewhere. Our goals remain unchanged.
The initial offering of the Department was a three year general Bachelor of Arts degree. This course of study provided students with a foundation in Aboriginal history and politics, Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe culture, tradition and language as well as opportunities for practical study within local Aboriginal communities.
Trent has always been at the forefront of education about aboriginal peoples. All of our programs are at the leading edge and have set the foundation for programs in other Canadian universities. Throughout its 40 year history, Indigenous Studies at Trent has consistently shown the way through its innovative and trailblazing programs.
In 1978 Trent established the first Indigenous Studies 4 year Bachelor of Arts honours program in Canada. This program built upon the foundation of the 3 year degree allowed for advanced study in aboriginal issues. A new curriculum responded to a growing desire for more attention to be paid to aboriginal culture, language and tradition. Courses in the Anishnaabe and Mohawk languages were offered for the first time at a Canadian university. Elders were hired as course instructors to teach the new courses in language and culture.
In 1986, the Department, in collaboration with the Trent Frost Centre for Native Studies and Canadian Studies (formerly known as the Canadian Heritage and Development Studies), introduced the first Master of Arts program in Native Studies. Students could study aboriginal issues at a graduate level.
In 1988, the Department, in conjunction with the Business Administration Program, introduced the Indigenous Management and Economic Development Program.
In 1997, the Department initiated the first Native Studies PHD program in Canada, the first students in the Program entered in September,1999. The first PhD’s in Native studies were awarded by the Trent University Senate in May 2005
1n 2001, in collaboration with the Environmental and Resource Studies Program, the Department introduced the Indigenous Environmental Studies Program.
In 2004, A Canada Research Chair in Aboriginal Arts and Literatures was established. The first holder of this chair is Professor Marrie Mumford, formerly the Director of Aboriginal Programs at the Banff Centre for the Arts.
In 2005, The First Peoples House of Learning was officially opened. Located in the Enweying Building along with the new Peter Gzowski College, the FPHL consists of Nozhem: the First Peoples Performance Space, the First Peoples Lecture Hall, the First Peoples Gathering Space, two outdoor teaching and ceremonial areas and an indoor gallery for art exhibits.
