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Indigenous Studies Group
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putting our minds together
ENRICHING OUR SPIRITS
boozhoo, she:kon, waachjiiye, tan si, tungasugiit, greetings, welcome
For more information and assistance on applying to Trent’s diploma programs please visit: http://www.trentu.ca/indigenous
Foundations for Indigenous Learning
(formerly Native Studies Diploma Program)The Foundations for Indigenous Learning program provides an opportunity for indigenous students who wish to pursue university level studies and who believe that they may benefit from studying in an academic atmosphere that provides a high level of support for Indigenous students. This is a special access program for applicants of Indigenous heritage who may not have taken a traditional academic path toward post-secondary education.
Students who are admitted into the program will take at least 8 university credits over two years. After successful completion of these credits, they will receive a Foundations of Indigenous Learning Diploma and may continue to pursue an undergraduate degree. Credits earned through the diploma can be applied directly to a university degree and, upon successful completion of the Diploma, most students can complete the balance of a 3 year B.A. or a 4 year Honours degree in 1 or 2 more years of study.
Program of Study
In the first year of the program, students will take 2 required courses: Indigenous Studies 1010: Foundations of Indigenous Learning and Indigenous Studies 1000: Introduction to Indigenous Studies. Two other courses are also required, and we encourage students to take their remaining first courses in other disciplines.
We also encourage students to meet with the Academic Advisor to discuss their academic goals while at Trent in order to plan their courses to meet those goals, particularly in the second year of the diploma program.
Indigenous Studies 1010: Foundations of Indigenous Learning
This course provides explores the link between indigenous identities and learning in a university environment. It examines and discusses Indigenous learning theory, helping the learner to understand the foundational elements of learning as taught by Indigenous elder educators, how to use these in a contemporary university environment and building a set of academic, life and work skills conducive to success as a student.Support for Students
Students are encouraged to take advantage of the supports available to through the First Peoples House of Learning. The First Peoples House of Learning offers a variety of services to support academic success through academic advising, personal counselling, tutoring and mentoring. In addition, the First Peoples House of Learning hosts a series of community events such as traditional teachings, coffee houses, lectures and access to Elders and Traditional Teachers. Our offices are currently located on the third floor of Enweying.The First Peoples House of Learning also provides space for student gatherings and activity in the First Peoples Gathering Space, Room 102 in Enweying. Students are encouraged to use the space as a place to study or read or meet in small groups on academic projects. It is also the location of many of the events we sponsor. This room is open at the times the building is open.
Students may also use the services available through Student Services, Health Services, and the Academic Skills Centre. Other support is available through the Trent University Native Association (TUNA) and the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) and the Aboriginal Commissioner.
The Trent Aboriginal Education Council, which meets three times a year, has membership places for students. This community-university forum provides a venue for students to advocate for their interests and programs.
FIRST PEOPLES HOUSE OF LEARNING CONTACTS
Emerance Baker, Director, FPHL, Room 329, tel 748 1011 ext 7612, email: ebaker@trentu.ca
Lindy Garneau, Aboriginal Counsellor and Academic Advisor, FPHL Room 329, tel 748 1011 ext 7905, email: lindygarneau@trentu.ca
Adam Hopkins, Aboriginal Enrolment Advisor, Office of the Registrar, Room 102.1, tel 748 1011 ext 7949, email: adamhopkins@trentu.ca
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HOW TO APPLY FOR DIPLOMA PROGRAMS
The Indigenous Diploma Program at Trent University is a program for applicants of Aboriginal ancestry who may not have taken a traditional academic path towards post-secondary education. The Diploma program provides an opportunity for students of Indigenous heritage who wish to pursue university level studies and who believe they may benefit from studying in a supportive academic atmosphere for Indigenous students.
There are two program options in the Indigenous Diploma Program: Foundations of Indigenous Learning or Indigenous Environmental Studies.
Students admitted to the program will take at least eight university credits over two years. After successfully completion of these credits, students will receive a diploma in either the Foundations of Indigenous learning Diploma or Indigenous Environmental Studies.
Upon successful completion of the Indigenous Diploma Program, credits earned can be applied directly to a university degree at Trent. Most students can complete the balance of a 3 year B.A. or a 4 year Honours degree in one or two more years of study.
All Indigenous Diploma Program students must take full-time studies over the course of the program.
For more information and to apply, please go to: www.trentu.ca/indigenous
Adam Hopkins
Aboriginal Enrolment Advisor
Trent Universityp 705.748.1011 x7949
f 705.748.1629
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INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM
Iethi'nistenha Onhwenstia
(For Our Mother Earth)
Mnaajaadaa Eshkakimi-kwe
(Honouring our Mother the Earth)
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CHECKLIST of things to get done before you get to Trent
Introduction
Preparing for university can be a daunting experience, but there are many things that you can do to adequately prepare yourself for coming to Trent.
Reviewing the following suggestions, discussing them with your teachers, family and groups that will be funding your education and ensuring that you do what you can to follow this advice will help you make the most of your Trent experience.Know that attending university is a full time job
The courses you take at Trent will require your full attention. Provided you treat your time at Trent as a full time job you will be able to attend all classes, get your assignments in on time, participate in activities and interact with other students. Coming to Trent with a ‘this is my full time job’ mindset will greatly assist you in having a successful university experience.
Know your responsibilities to yourself and others while you are at university
Attending university is a privilege that comes with responsibilities. Before coming to Trent, think about what responsibilities accompany being at university. These will include responsibilities to yourself, your family and your community. If you come to Trent with an understanding that you have accepted some important responsibilities, it will help you focus on your work here.
Know why you are coming to Trent
Some students come to university without thinking much about whether they want to come, why they want to come and if they are ready to come. Coming to university with these sorts of questions left unanswered is not a good idea. Spend some time thinking and talking about this question and work towards answers that are meaningful to you. This will help you persevere with your studies and do your best.
Bring your energy and focus to help you succeed
Being at university is about learning, which takes a lot of energy. Think about whether the prospect of learning a lot of new things, talking to teachers and fellow students about important issues and thinking through these issues yourself appeals to you. Building energy and focus before your get to university will allow you to embrace the work you will be doing here and will allow you to do it in an enjoyable way.
Ensure that you have a place that you can live in for the year that is permanent, affordable and that will allow you to focus on your studies
Getting settled permanently soon after you get to Trent removes a worry that can take your focus away from your work. Living in an environment in which you can concentrate on your work removes a big potential source of distraction. While choosing a place to live, think about it in terms of how the living environment will affect all aspects of your life at Trent.
If it will be your first year away from home, consider living in residence
If this is your first time away from home and your community, living in residence can reduce the number of potential problems you will have to face. These include finding a place to live, living in an environment that is not conducive to studying, having to cook and clean for yourself, having a long commute to university and paying bills. While residence is not for everyone, you should at least explore the idea thoroughly before making your decision on where to live.
Ensure that you have a computer and the necessary software
Having a computer that works well, the use of a printer and the necessary software is important in order to doing well at university. You will be writing many essays and completing other written work while at Trent. If you do not have a computer or have one that does not work well, it makes it very difficult to get your assignments in on time and creates avoidable problems.
If you are coming with your children, ensure that you have made arrangements for good day care before you come. Also, think about how you will do your work when your children are sick or need other attention.
Coming to university with children requires you to be even more organized than other students. Many single mothers do come with children and do well but they are the ones who have taken the steps to organize their lives accordingly. If you are coming to Trent with children, call the Department Administrator well before coming and ask her to give you names of other students who are in the same situation you are in. Speak to them about the support available at Trent and how they have organized themselves.
Have continuing access to your support group and create a new one at Trent
Coming to a new place can be lonely at first. Having a support group back home can be of great help as you begin your life at Trent. When you arrive at Trent it is a good idea to spend some time creating a support group here. There are many activities both in and outside of class that can help you build new friendships that will help sustain you and make you feel at home here. It will be up to you to take advantage of the opportunity.
Know that you need to stay at the University during the term and that going home should be restricted to the Christmas holiday
Wanting to go back home for a visit is a very natural feeling when you are in a new place that is far away from home and in a new role that is challenging to you. However, you need to know that you cannot succeed at university if you leave during term. Missing classes and assignments significantly reduces your chances of success. Knowing that you will need to stay at Trent for the term and thinking through how you are going to ensure that you are going to be able to do that will benefit you.
Understand your funding arrangements and try to minimize any financial worries or uncertainties
If you are receiving funding from outside sources, like a First Nation, you need to know that there are important conditions that go with that funding. Some of those have to do with reporting and some with performing. Be sure you have talked with the institution that is providing the funding to you and that you clearly understand their expectations.
Make sure you do what is required of you to be accountable to those that are funding you
Once you understand what is expected of you, it helps if you keep these expectations clearly in your mind and that you do your best to meet them. It is important to communicate with them and let them know of any changes to your program and to let them know how you are doing.
Search out and apply for any additional sources of funding
There are many sources of funding available to students. Many are small but can make a real difference to your financial situation as a student. Find out and apply for as many as you can.
If you are going to work part time, understand the balance you need to maintain between work and university
Some students work part time while at university. If you are going to do this, you will need to think through how you are going to manage your time in order to both complete your university work and meet your job commitments.
Draw up a realistic budget
Before you come to Trent, get the help you need to draw up a realistic budget that balances how much money you will have with what you need to spend. Check it out with a couple of people to ensure that it is realistic. Keep it handy and follow it.
Establish empowering routines – attendance, minimizing distractions, creating balance, healthy lifestyle
Doing well at university has a lot to do with establishing powerful routines. These routines are about how you spend your days. Thinking about what routines you want to establish for yourself before coming to Trent will prepare you to take control over your life when you get here. Some important parts of your routine will be attending class, completing assignments, doing readings and research, eating and sleeping well, getting exercise and having fun.
Familiarize yourself with Indigenous Student Services and other sources of help
Most students run into some sort of problem(s) during their time at university, that are solvable if you are informed and prepared to tackle the issue. Before you come to Trent, think about how you will react if a problem arises. You need to know that there are lots of sources of help available to you, including your teachers, TA’s and Indigenous Students Services. Remember that when a problem comes up that it is a good idea to get help early rather than later. This will help you deal with issues that come up for you in a way that will not get in the way of your success at Trent.
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Marina Vincent ( a 3rd year student who is in Physics, Indigenous Studies and Math this year) rescues a Blanding turtle near Big Chute 2008.
Bill Fraser went up to Pangnirtung this summer and his contribution to the community was helping them to design, create and install this mural.
Bill is a student who enrolled in the Pang / U Manitoba summer course on a letter of permission which students here in our INDG program can and often do participate in. His degree area is called 'creativity' rather than INDG - but his course work is primarily in INDG.
