INDG 6715H:Bimaadiziwin/Atonhnhetsherí:io Online Proposal Form
Bimaadiziwin/Atonhnhetsherí:io provides students with the opportunity to build upon what they have learned in INDG 6600: Indigenous Knowledge. The course enables students to build relationships with an Elder or Knowledge Holder through an apprentice experience wherein the student (in consultation with an Elder or Knowledge Holder) learns a practical skill.
Ideally, students will complete the apprenticeship in the summer of the first year or in the fall or winter of year two prior to sitting for the comprehensive exams (June/July of year two). Upon completion of the Bimaadiziwin/Atonhnhetsherí:io, students make a presentation to the Traditional Council.
Students will also be required to submit a reflection paper to the Director of Studies that makes connections between Indigenous Knowledge and experiential learning and the scholarship that is out there on Indigenous Knowledge by Indigenous scholars.
Guidelines for Developing a Bimaadiziwin/Atonhnhetsherí:io Proposal
The Bimaadiziwin/Atonhnhetsherí:io experience is not to be taken lightly. You are required to work hard with an Elder or Knowledge Holder over a period of at least one term (full time: summer) or two-terms (part-time). The proposed skill that you would like to learn from an Elder or Knowledge Holder should reflect your positionality as a student as well as your capacity to carry out the proposed work. This kind of opportunity is something that should not be taken for granted as many Indigenous communities are working diligently to recover Indigenous practices and pass those on to future generations.
*Please see full Guidelines here.
Process for completing the Bimaadiziwin/Atonhnhetsherí:io:
1. Cohort Meeting with Director of Studies, November of the first year. Students are required to attend.
2. Student Meeting with PhD Traditional Council to discuss pre-concept
• Virtual meeting (30 minutes or less)
• What person, place or practice are you anchoring your apprenticeship with?
*Knowledge Holder/Elder contact information needed
• Discuss how concept and anchor connect to mno bimaadiziwin/Atonhnhetsherí:io
(How will you and your personal growth benefit from the apprenticeship?)
3. Student Outreach to KH/Elder (See Discussion List)
4. Complete the online proposal form
• Send signed copy of proposal form to Academic Program Assistant
• Ensure form has signatures of Director of Studies, KH/Elder and Student
*Note that students are not permitted to begin an apprenticeship for academic credit (i.e. INDG 6715H) without prior written approval of the Director of Studies.
5. Register for INDG 6715H: Bimaadiziwin/Atonhnhetsherí:io (In the specific term you will be carrying out the apprenticeship)
6. Keep a journal of your apprenticeship.
7. Midpoint of Apprenticeship-Student Meeting with Director of Studies
8. Midpoint of Apprenticeship-Director of Studies Outreach to KH/Elder
9. Notify the Director of Studies and the Program Assistant that you have completed your apprenticeship
10. Submit the Report from the Elder/Knowledge Holder that provides details on your progress and successful completion of the apprenticeship
11. Submit a reflection paper to the Director of Studies and the Program Assistant. This will be given to the Traditional Council.
12. Contact the Academic Program Assistant to schedule your presentation with Traditional Council. These usually take place in May-June.