Started two new online courses from the University of Alberta Faculty of Native Studies
This fall I took the Indigenous Canada course from University of Alberta. It is available for free, but I paid for the certificate and made a donation.
When I read the announcement, I jumped at the chance to take the two new courses offered this winter term. I signed up, paid my tuition, and am working on the first week's lessons for both.
I am privileged in many ways, and that includes currently working for an employer who has been willing to consider these two courses as professional development.
NS 161: Countering Stereotypes of Indigenous Peoples
NS 115: Indigenous Peoples and Technoscience
I'm a mature student (turning 53 at the end of March), so I'm not taking these courses for credit or for career advancement. I have been a political activist since the early 1990's on policy areas such as the environment, democracy, and technology law.
Since I started my self-directed antiracism training I have come to a very different understanding of what Canada is.
Help stop overt racism and white supremacy in Canada!
The NDP have a fundraising campaign where they wish to Dismantle white supremacist and neo-nazi groups in Canada. While that is a feel-good campaign that might bring them money, I think Canadian political parties and elected members of Canadian parliaments should look closer to home if they wish to solve this problem.
I have 52 years of life experiences to reevaluate, and to move away from the pro-Canada/pro-European propaganda I grew up and lived with. I want to do anything I can in my remaining years to help Canada to come into compliance with international law, treaties, and human rights.
The reason why I'm taking the first course is likely obvious from what I hope to be able to contribute to in the future.
I have a science background (and my wive is a high-school biology teacher), and thus learning about the differences between western concepts of science and the concepts from the diversity of indigenous peoples of this homeland will be important to me. I want to ensure that as I continue with work relating to the environment and technology law that it is consistent with domestic worldviews rather than informed only by European worldviews.
Just read this (from a link provided in a current post of yours). Seriously considering exploring this myself. I was employed by the Inuit organization (TFN) for several years during the negotiation of the Nunavut Land Claim (initally based in Ottawa, then relocated to Yellowknife upon completion of the Agreement-in-Principle, and seconded as Northern Co-ordinator to work for the Inuit Ratification Committee (created to manage the Inuit Ratification Vote.) I was very honoured to be even a very small part of a process instrumental in the creation of Nunavut.
I am far less knowledgeable than would like about First Nations and Metis issues, despite having moved to Nova Scotia 25 years ago. I met the esteemed author of "We Were Not the Savages", Daniel Paul, at a book-signing ceremony at King's College for the (updated) 4th edition in 2022, shortly before his death. (I had previously read one or possibly two earlier editions - it was required reading for a course I took at Dalhousie University while obtaining a BA [Hon.], in Sociology in my 40's, and I read the 1st edition when it was released.
Growing up on and/or near remote NORAD radar bases during the Cold War (in QC, ON, AB, and BC before my father was transferred to NDHC in Ottawa in my early teens) I've seen some of the effects of deeply-entrenched racism throughout many of my 70 years. I think it's time for me to actively continue my own life-long education in this vein. Thanks for the inspiration!