Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in听.
Program outline
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the academic calendar.
Program outline
What to expect
This two-year, full-time program starts each September at Lansdowne Campus, and includes academic courses, land-based and experiential learning and special project work completed in community. You are encouraged to explore relevant topics and conduct critical analyses from Indigenous perspectives. Circle Seminars will help you strengthen relationships with peers.
Year 1
In your first year, you鈥檒l be introduced to a number of disciplines, theories and methodologies which will provide a foundation for further learning. All courses will have an Indigenous perspective. You鈥檒l take first year introductory courses in English, Anthropology,听and Indigenous Studies. The Indigenous Studies courses will encourage you to incorporate your own culture into the coursework.
Year 2
In your second year, you will continue to develop your leadership skills in preparation for working in communities and organizations. You will also broaden your perspective and deepen your understanding of what you have learned by taking听and more Indigenous Studies.
From Indigenous Academic Upgrading to Indigenous Studies and beyond
Trevor Good (Snuneymuxw) did not consider himself what you would call a "born student鈥.听High school frustrated him. He was alienated and angered by curriculum that celebrated colonialism and ignored Indigenous experience, and his record was uneven at best. He knew if he ever wanted to go on, he鈥檇 have to improve that record, and he did 鈥 by taking academic upgrading offered by Camosun in partnership with the Victoria Native Friendship Centre and the Songhees Employment Learning Centre. From there, he moved into Camosun's Indigenous Studies program.
鈥淐amosun was a safe place to learn,鈥 Trevor says. 鈥淭here was a lot of mentorship going on and a lot of teachers would kind of take you under their wing.鈥 He also appreciates the value Indigenous Studies placed on community: 鈥淭he program and the instructors encouraged me to return to community. I鈥檝e always learned in community and been most comfortable in community.鈥
Once at the University of Victoria, Trevor found that Indigenous Studies also worked 鈥渁s a perfect bridge鈥 to the Bachelor of Social Work program. 鈥淵ou bring this Indigenous knowledge to it,鈥 he says, 鈥渁nd you create a space for Indigenous knowledge.鈥 When he graduated, he was part of the first-ever Indigenous convocation at the First People鈥檚 House. 鈥淚 was definitely humbled and really grateful to be a part of it. It was awesome.鈥
Trevor completed his Master of Social Work and worked in various places at UVic such as The Office of Indigenous Affairs, The School of Social Work, LE,NONET and The Centre for Youth and Society. After leaving UVic, he spent two years as Indigenous Liaison for Victoria Youth Custody. Trevor then came full circle back to Camosun as an Indigenous Advisor for Ey膿蕯 Sq葍鈥檒ewen: The Centre for Indigenous Education & Community Connections where he offered friendly, helpful student support to others starting their educational journey. Trevor has now moved on to his current position as a therapist with Mental Health Services for the Heiltsuk Nation in Bella Bella. While he covers all topics he specializes in one on one, trauma, and substance misuse.
From our students
"This program inspired a deeper understanding of myself and I developed many trusting relationships that I will carry into the future."
Melanie Fred
"I was intimidated by the thought of post-secondary education. The Indigenous Studies program has given me the knowledge to walk respectfully in two worlds and the strength to be proud of who I am."
Tonya Isaac
