Overview
Minor in Indigenous Studies

The Minor in Indigenous Studies is a cross-disciplinary program to provide a better understanding of the place and importance of the Indigenous history, culture, and knowledge systems.

The program starts with the broad teachings of Turtle Island and includes as part of the core courses the foundation stones of the Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research and Applied Studies (IKERAS) and importance of Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing to the creation of a better globe and community. A Minor in Indigenous Studies offers students the ability to complement the learnings of their major degree.

The carefully selected set of core courses and elective Indigenous courses provide the student knowledge that can be beneficial for future graduate studies or for integration into their careers going forward. Mi’kmaq culture and knowledge feature in a number of courses respecting whose land we are privileged to share knowledge on. All courses are taught by Indigenous instructors.

Declaring a Minor

Current students can declare a minor in this program through their myUPEI account.

Need more information about Indigenous Studies?

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Course Structure
What You'll Study

Note: Current UPEI students should refer to Student Planning in myUPEI and the UPEI Academic Calendar governing their entry year, and speak to an academic advisor about course requirements. The course structure presented for this program is a recommended, unofficial progression for prospective students.

A Minor in Indigenous Studies consists of twenty-one (21) semester hours of credit taken from the list of approved courses.

The four core courses that must be taken to achieve a minor include:

  • IKE-1040 Indigenous Teachings of Turtle Island
  • IKE-2000 IKERAS Foundations
  • IKE-2020 Indigenous Peoples of Canada
  • IKE-3062 Introduction to Indigenous Knowledge and Worldviews

In addition, students must select three IKERAS elective courses. Not all elective courses are offered every year.

Indigenous Studies Minor Core Courses

  • IKE-1040 Indigenous Teachings of Turtle Island
  • IKE-2000 IKERAS Foundations
  • IKE-2020 Indigenous Peoples of Canada
  • IKE-3062 Introduction to Indigenous Knowledge and Worldviews

Elective Courses for Minor in Indigenous Studies

  • IKE-2010 Mi’kmaq Language I
  • IKE-2030 Indigenous Knowledge and Climate Change
  • IKE-2042 Introduction to Indigenous Music, Film, and Art
  • IKE-2052 Indigenous Resistance and Decolonizing
  • IKE-2046 Indigenous Literature
  • IKE-2055 Introduction to the Indian Act
  • IKE-2060 Mi'kmaq Foodways 
  • IKE-2110 Métis Culture, History and Governance
  • IKE-2220 Beadwork: The Symbols of Indigenous Culture Resilience and Value
  • IKE-2230 The Mi'kmaq of Eastern Canada
  • IKE-2320 Wabanaki'k Confederacy
  • IKE-3010 Mi'kmaq Language II
  • IKE-3090 Special Topics Course
  • IKE-3056 Indigenous Peoples and Justice
  • IKE-3065 Indigenous Health, Healing, and Wellness
  • IKE-3066 Introduction to Indigenous Research Methodologies
  • IKE-3221 Mi'kmaq Spiritualities
  • IKE-3340 Wabanaki'k Peace and Friendship Treaties
  • IKE-3350 Storytelling and Wabanaki'k Legends
  • IKE-3410 Canadian Treaties and Self Government
  • IKE-4096 Applied Indigenous Justice
  • IKE-4098 Indigenous Education Special Topics
  • IKE-4210 Gijituaqasin: On the Land
  • IKE-4240 Ika'taquey: Indigenous Gardening and Mediative Practices
  • IKE-4410 Indigenous Territories Use-and-Occupancy Research Methods
  • IKE-4520 Islands of Indigeneity
Admissions Criteria
What's Required for Admission?

High School Graduates

Canadian High School Equivalency Chart

Successful completion of Grade 12 examinations in a University Preparatory Program with an overall average of at least 70% (75% for Quebec Secondary V students) in the following subjects:

  • English;
  • one Social Studies or Language;
  • any 3 other academic courses. Grade 12 math recommended.
    Note: Grade 12 Math is a prerequisite for some 1st year Arts courses.

Please refer to the UPEI Academic Calendar for complete admissions information.

Fees and Funding
Program Tuition and Fees

UPEI's undergraduate tuition is the second-lowest in the Atlantic region, and we offer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards.

Tuition

$6,828 per year, based on 30 credit hours ($682.80 per 3 credit course).
International students pay $8,010 per year in addition to full-time student tuition.

For a complete breakdown of part-time or full-time study as a student, visit our Tuition and Fees page.

Scholarships and Awards

UPEI supports you and your educational goals. We administer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards to our undergraduate and graduate students every year. Depending on your faculty or program, and year of study, you may be eligible for available awards.

Search the complete list of scholarships for information and application forms.  

Scholarship Opportunities for Indigenous Students

UPEI offers additional scholarship opportunities for Indigenous students. Visit the UPEI Mawi'omi Indigenous Student Centre website for specific awards.

For assistance with the Indigenous Student L'nui'suti Bursary, IKE 2010 application, contact ikeras@upei.ca.

Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge Education Research and Applied Studies
236 Kelley Memorial Building
902-620-5311
ikeras@upei.ca 

You can also check out the Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool to find more external scholarships.

Celebrating Student Achievement

Including Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships and Academic Excellence Awards, these awards recognize the academic achievements of all students who meet the eligibility criteria while studying towards their first undergraduate degree.

Visit the Scholarships site for complete information.

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Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies