Program Structure

The Ph.D. Program is based in the Department of Indigenous Studies but involves faculty from other departments at Trent, faculty from other universities and qualified individuals from Aboriginal/Indigenous communities and organizations. It is overseen by an Indigenous Studies Ph.D. Program Council composed of Aboriginal community members, faculty from Indigenous Studies and other departments, Ph.D. student representatives and senior university administrators.

The program is administered by two Co-Directors: a Program Director and a Director of Studies. The Co-Directors are appointed for a term of up to three years by the Indigenous Studies Ph.D. Council. The position of Program Director is filled by a member of the Indigenous Studies faculty. The Director of Studies is an Aboriginal Elder or Traditional person external to Trent, who is appointed on a part-time basis.

The Indigenous Studies Ph.D. Council provides ongoing guidance and direction to the program. The Ph.D. Council meets three to four times per year. Council members sit on sub-committees that deal with ethics, curriculum and other matters related to the Ph.D. program. The Council confers with the Aboriginal Education Committee and the Indigenous Studies Department. The Program Director reports to the Dean of Graduate Studies on behalf of the Council.

The Program Director is responsible for the overall administration of the program, including administering the selection of qualified students entering the program, ensuring that the academic quality is maintained, allocating program funds and scholarships, assigning supervisory committees and overseeing comprehensive examinations.

The Director of Studies is responsible for overseeing the Ph.D. students’ program of studies in keeping with the Indigenous Studies Ph.D. Vision Statement. The Director of Studies ensures the ongoing inclusion of cultural content in the program, provides links with Aboriginal communities and organizations, and oversees the practicum and Bimaadiziwin/Atonhetseri:io placements.

Between Ph.D. Council meetings, a Graduate Studies Committee meets regularly to consider issues related to the Ph.D. program, its ongoing needs and administrative concerns. Faculty, staff and students are represented on the Graduate Studies Committee.

The Ph.D. program operates in an Indigenous Studies Department that pursues an active partnership with the local Aboriginal community. This is manifest in the functioning of the Trent University Aboriginal Educational Council (AEC) composed of university officials, including the Trent President, Vice President Academic, Dean of Arts and Science and Chair of Indigenous Studies, as well as Aboriginal representatives of First Nation communities and Aboriginal organizations. The AEC has made a substantial contribution to supporting the cultural integrity of the Ph.D. program since its inception.