News Release Backgrounder
Master of Arts in Aboriginal Governance
- Fact Sheet
The new MA program in Aboriginal Governance is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills required for effective advocates of Aboriginal and treaty rights. The program offers students an innovative and unique Indigenous-centered education that prepares them for leadership roles within First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities as well as within the community-at-large. The MA links Indigenous knowledge and ways of learning with a traditional university-based approach. The program provides students with strong skills in management and leadership as they relate to Aboriginal governments, institutions, and organizations, as well as a sound intellectual framework surrounding Indigenous approaches to governance. Much of the focus is on understanding the factors required to ensure successful, credible, and efficient governments and institutions within the context of today's First Nations, Métis and Inuit realities.
COUNCIL OF ELDERS PROVIDES GUIDANCE AND TEACHING
The program draws on the growing recognition of the value and scholarly contributions of Elders within First Nations, Métis and Inuit nations. A Council of Elders provides overall guidance to the program and is involved directly in teaching one of the required courses called Pathways to Indigenous Wisdom.
INTRODUCTION TO AN INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE
A core part of the program is the introduction of students to an Indigenous language which is critical to appreciating the Indigenous worldview and the values that inform it. Understanding language creates deeper insights into the distinctions between Indigenous governance and mainstream governance.
PARTNERSHIPS WITH GLOBAL INDIGENOUS PROGRAMS
The new MA program includes a strong international focus utilizing partnerships with similar Indigenous-centered programs and institutions all over the world, including Central and South America, as well as Asia. Students will have access to research, ideas, and experience from Indigenous scholars globally.
SAMPLE COURSES
The program features courses in Indigenous Research Methods and Ethics, Indigenous Economic Development, Land Claim and Self Government Negotiations, and Urban Aboriginal Governance.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The program is a one-year Masters program in which students are required to take 30 credit hours of courses. Course work includes three elements: core courses, an Indigenous language course, and elective courses that place Indigenous governance in the broader context of society. In addition, students undertake a major research project on the governance of a specific Indigenous people. For example, a student may conduct a study of how traditional elements of Dene governance have influenced contemporary Dene government. The program matches students with a professor and an Elder instructor from an appropriate Indigenous nation or community.
Three options are available:
I. Course Work and Thesis - Students are required to take 18 credit hours of required courses and 12 credit hours of elective courses, 9 credit hours of which must be the Thesis course. The thesis is assessed by a committee and consists of an oral defense.
II. Course Work and Comprehensive Examination - Students are required to take 30 credit hours of courses. This includes 21 credit hours of required courses and 9 additional credit hours of elective courses. In addition, students are required to write a comprehensive examination based on their course work and complete an oral defense of their examination.
*III. Course Work and Co-operative Work Placement Option - Students are required to take 30 credit hours of course work. This includes 21 credit hours of required courses and 9 credit hours of elective courses, 6 credit hours of which must be the Co-operative Work Placement course. Students also write the comprehensive examination similarly as in option two. *Will not be offered in 2008
SKILLS AND ABILITIES GAINED
- The ability to undertake extensive and comprehensive research within an interdisciplinary context, including a significant sensitivity to Indigenous research methodology (e.g. oral history research) and ethics considerations.
- The ability to develop policy analysis and to draft policy documents for all levels of government based on relevant research and backed by credible quantitative and qualitative evidence.
- The ability to effectively communicate legal and political positions of concern to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal governments, and to negotiate from a position of logic and evidentiary strength.
- An understanding of the principles of good governance within an Indigenous context and the ability to apply those principles in everyday government decision-making.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
a) A person holding a recognized 4-Year General or Advanced Bachelor of Arts. This would include, but is not restricted to: Aboriginal/Indigenous Governance, Native Studies, Conflict Resolution Studies, Justice Studies, History, Social Sciences.
b) A person holding a recognized 4-Year Honours Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better in the last 60 credit hours of coursework; or
c) For persons who do not hold an undergraduate degree, but who have previous learning experience and/or academic qualifications, consideration will be given to his/her admission directly into the Master's program via PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition). Please contact the Department for details. *Not available for 2008 - 2009.
d) Students with a 3-Year Degree may also be admitted to the pre-Master's program which consists of a set of upper-level undergraduate courses.
Students must make an appointment with the Graduate Chair regarding application.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The application deadline is March 1 for a September enrolment.
(Extension of deadline for September 2008 enrolment: July 1)
APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Complete the on-line application form
2. Provide two official/notarized transcripts of academic work completed to date, sent directly from the issuing institution. If the final transcript does not show that a completed degree has been conferred, an official/notarized copy of your diploma is also required.
3. Supply two letters of recommendation from individuals most familiar with your academic work and relevant experience.
4. International Students English requirement: An official copy of your TOEFL scores. (A minimum TOEFL score of 550, or 213 on the computer-based TOEFL test, is needed. The test should have been taken within a year of the date a completed application is filed.)
CONTACT US - Aboriginal Governance Program, Faculty of Arts
Wendy McNab, Administrative Assistant, 204.786.9305 or email:
w.mcnab@uwinnipeg.ca