Seminar in Special Topics: Introduction to Professional Engagement with Indigenous Peoples in Canada

An introduction to key considerations in professional engagement with Indigenous Peoples in Canada, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. In the pursuit of professional careers in education, counselling, research, and other sectors, students will learn to respectfully engage and work with Indigenous populations in a culturally safe manner that strives to be consistent with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action. Along with examining relevant academic literature, students will learn through the use of Indigenous-authored texts, memoirs, film, events, news media, and possibly through dialogue with guest speakers.

Students can expect to:

• Develop better communication skills that demonstrate cultural sensitivity and humility
• Critically discuss the history of violence, oppressions, bigotry, and systemic racism towards Indigenous Peoples, in Canada, from colonization to contemporary times
• Develop an understanding of basic features, challenges, and resilience of contemporary Indigenous life in urban, rural, and reserve settings.
• Conceptualize patterns and complexities with individual development, identity formation, spirituality and culture, connection to lands, languages, and traditions.
• Describe the most common factors pertaining to Indigenous wellness, mental health, physical health, and educational success.
• Critically evaluate sources of information pertaining to Indigenous Peoples and become equipped for lifelong engagement with Indigenous-authored voices.

With Instructor: Professor Dennis Wendt
Assistant Professor in Educational and Counselling Psychology

With a decade of experience working in community-based mental health research with Indigenous communities in North America, Professor Dennis Wendt also directs the Cultural and Indigenous Research in Counselling Psychology (CIRC) lab. He is a member of the Quebec-Atlantic Indigenous Working Group of the Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse.

For information, contact: dennis.wendt [at] mcgill.ca

Course Scheduled:
Tuesdays 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Location:
Room TBD. Students are expected to be available during the scheduled time.

Registration CRNs:
3340 – Graduate Students in the Faculty of Education
3341 – Advanced undergraduate students and any students outside the Faculty of Education with instructor’s approval.

Note: Students who completed EDPE 595 with the same topic in Fall 2019 or Fall 2020 should not register for this course