Read about our students' experiences in the major and minor Indigenous Studies programs.

"Being a student in the Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies at UPEI has been one of the most meaningful and beneficial aspects of my university experience. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from Indigenous teachings, which continue to shape my understanding of my relationships with others, the land, and the world around me. Personally, I think this program offers more than just a degree; it provides an opportunity to participate in genuine reconciliation guided by Indigenous ways of knowing and being. I am incredibly excited about the introduction of the IKERAS major and I look forward to seeing more students continue the transformative work this program encourages!" - Bethany Paulisyn 

“The UPEI Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies has played a fundamental role in my education throughout my undergraduate degree. As a non-Indigenous student majoring in Diversity and Social Justice with a minor in Indigenous Studies, I have had the opportunity to learn deeply about Canada’s colonial past as well as Indigenous cultures, histories, and ways of knowing. I am incredibly grateful for the wide range of courses offered and for the guidance of professors who are both deeply knowledgeable and genuinely kind. It has been an honour to learn within this faculty and to participate, in a meaningful way, in Canada’s ongoing journey toward reconciliation.

The newly established Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies is an exceptional opportunity being offered at UPEI—one I wish had been available when I began my degree. The new degree will lead to many career paths while providing students with an invaluable education grounded in Indigenous knowledge, taught by an amazing faculty. Because of the education I received through my Indigenous Studies minor, I am now preparing to enter a JD law program in the fall, where I hope to use both my education and my privilege to continue working toward reconciliation and a more just society for Indigenous peoples in Canada.” - Grace Mcquaid