Indigenous Studies

ufv.ca/indigenous-studies

Power and Place: Stó:lō Téméxw Responsibility, Reflection, and (Re)Storying associate certificate

The terms "unceded”, “traditional”, “ancestral”, and “territory” are often used by settlers and visitors who wish to give a respectful acknowledgement of the Indigenous lands that they are on. In this associate certificate we dig deep within and across disciplines to provide context for what these terms mean and the historical relationship (or lack thereof) that they describe between the Indigenous people of Xwelmexw Téméxw and the settlers who have arrived within the last two centuries and who now also call this territory their home.

Indigenous cultures are neither frozen in time nor are they impervious to various geopolitical and environmental forces. In fact, despite the pressure from global capitalism and settler colonialism to erase and homogenize Indigenous cultures, Indigenous people have maintained old and found new ways to differentiate themselves. Additionally, climate change has always greatly impacted Indigenous communities and their lands, foods, and waters. This has led to involved Indigenous concerted efforts to preserve traditions as well as create innovative actions to adapt to change.

What students will learn

This associate certificate discusses the historically deep and culturally distinct connection that exists between the Stó:lō people and their ancestral lands. It does this through an examination of sacred land-based relationships, ancestral traditions, and stories. Additionally, it guides students through the acknowledgment of ongoing impacts of both settler colonialism and climate change within Stó:lō Téméxw, while also recognizing Indigenous contributions, empowerment, and resilience in addressing these concerns.

The goals of this associate certificate are to:

1. Understand Stó:lō perspectives of land and water stewardship through Stó:lō science and storytelling.
2. Connect Stó:lō land and water stewardship with settler responsibility.
3. Based on these connections, contribute to genuine reconciliation between Indigenous and settler people and governments.

These skills are of direct relevance to the living history, communication, implementation, and critique of Stó:lō rights, resiliency, and relationships. The program focuses on a range of representational practices, including, but not limited to, art making processes, advocacy work, oral histories and stories, policies and governance, surveys and maps, and land remediation practices. Stó:lō lands will be the predominant focus, while other Indigenous lands and rights processes may be generally discussed.

How students will learn

These knowledges and teachings are best understood through experiential learning on the Stó:lō lands. This associate certificate creates several opportunities for multi-dimensional connections with Indigenous lands, waters, and people, so that the learning process emphasizes the process of learning with Stó:lō people as opposed to simply learning about Stó:lō people.

The associate certificate is offered full time, four days per week. This is an intensive, immersive program that offers students the opportunity to learn a range of conceptual and practical skills. Students will complete four courses (13-14 credits) during the Summer semster's early session.

Entrance requirements

Option 1: University students

1. Completion of 45 university-level credits with a CGPA of 2.50 on all credits attempted.
2. Completion of any IPK course numbered 102 or higher, any FNST course, or HIST 103.

Option 2: Non-university students with professional experience and/or instructors' permission

1. A letter of intent (up to 500 words in length) that explicitly describes the applicant’s interest in learning about Indigenous relationships to land and water, Stó:lō language and culture, colonialism, and reconciliation.
2. An employment record or letter of reference that demonstrates professional experience, such as holding a significant position or role in an Indigenous Band or Tribal Council for at least two years (e.g., elected leader, technician, elder, etc.); employment as a paralegal, legal historian, or lawyer; or work in a government ministry or other organization.

If the instructors have questions about the applicant, or if the applicant would like more information about the program or its land-based delivery method, a follow-up interview will be arranged.

Note: Prerequisites for required courses will be waived for students admitted under either option.

When to apply

The associate certificate is offered in the Summer semester's early session (May–June). Specific details regarding application deadline dates, exact scheduling, location, etc., are regularly updated at ufv.ca/indigenous-studies.

Students applying under Option 2 should apply before April 5.

How to apply

Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.

Note: Students enrolled in another UFV program will still need to apply to this associate certificate.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be considered for admission to the program on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section. In addition to the tuition and any ancillary costs that normally apply to credit courses taken at UFV, students should expect some incidental program-specific expenses related to fieldwork.

Program duration

The Power and Place: Stó:lō Téméxw Responsibility, Reflection and (Re)Storying associate certificate is offered in the Summer semster's early session and is completed in a full-time capacity, four days per week.

Students will complete four courses (13-14 credits) that will be offered May to June.

Location

Three courses will be offered face-to-face on campus, with several off-campus locations. The fourth course will start with a face-to-face gathering and thereafter combine face-to-face gatherings with online learning.

Program outline

At the heart of this associate certificate lies the power of Stó:lō ways of knowing and being and allyship that respects Stó:lō ways of knowing and being. This program will help students become greater advocates for Indigenization, Indigenous resurgence, decolonization, and ultimately reconciliation through processes of:

• Critical reflection on histories, lessons learned from those that have been advocates, the experiences of women storytellers, and modern-day realities.
• Practical skill development regarding land-based stewardship practices.
• Empathetic communication and understanding of Halq’eméylem place names and connected stories.
• Engagement in varied artistic expressions of resistance and resurgence.
• Visioning future movements and directions of Indigenous-focused advocacy.

Each theme is led by a separate faculty member (or members), but they will typically alternate with each other over the course of the program, and there will be some instances where days are shared. Schedules will be adjusted as required to facilitate practicum work, guest speaker appearances, visits to field sites, etc.

Theme 1: Land-based Storytelling

• One of HIST 399E or IPK 206 (formerly FNST 201) (3-4 credits)

This theme focuses on applied working knowledge of place names and the stories attached to them.

Theme 2: Land-based Stewardship

• GEOG 300F (4 credits)

This theme focuses on the stewardship of water using a two-eyed seeing approach (i.e., Indigenous science and non-Indigenous science). Students learn how to monitor water health, fish ecologies, soils, etc. This course discusses Indigenous water governance in a time of a changing climate. Students gain an increased and deep awareness of Indigenous peoples’ connections to land (water, plants, ecology, etc.), and learn about the ethics of working on Stó:lō land and with Stó:lō communities which includes stories and stewardship, and map making for treaty processes.

Theme 3: Land-based Art and Design

• One of IPK 401, FILM 313, or VA 390 (3 credits)

This theme draws on the teachings of the first two themes to envision ways to pursue Indigenization, decolonization, and reconciliation now and in the future. Students learn how to recognize Stó:lō and Indigenous patterns reflected in art making and aesthetics since what we see in art is what we see in natural ecologies. Students learn the meaning of land acknowledgement using a variety of approaches (e.g., spiritual, cultural, political, stewardship), and develop advocacy skills especially in relationship to the struggles, stories, resistance, and resilience of Stó:lō people.

Theme 4: Reflective Practice: Reconciliation and Reciprocity

• AIS 401 (formerly ARTS 401) (3 credits)

This theme is woven through themes 1-3. Students start their participation in the associate certificate with guided reflection and end with the creation of a reciprocity action plan and resource kit. Students participate in reflective practices designed to deconstruct their learning experiences and field work and explore new knowledge creation and meaning making because of previous, new, and emerging learning opportunities.

Undergraduate continuance

Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or higher) must maintain an undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 to remain enrolled in Good Academic Standing at UFV. Students in Good Academic Standing will have no registration limits placed on them. Failure to meet the minimum CGPA requirement will result in restrictions on registration and may eventually lead to academic suspension from undergraduate studies at UFV. Students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation are limited to registering in 10 credits. For further details, see the Academic standing and undergraduate continuance section of the academic calendar. Academic standing is governed by UFV's Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).

Graduation requirements

Any student successfully completing all four courses in the program with a minimum grade of C in each course will be eligible to receive the associate certificate. Students may be able to use these courses to satisfy requirements for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Integrated Studies. Those wishing to apply credit towards other degrees should check with their program advisor to determine applicability.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.