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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Indigenous Canada by University of Alberta

4.8
stars
22,688 ratings

About the Course

Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores the different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous peoples living in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores complex experiences Indigenous peoples face today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations. Topics for the 12 lessons include the fur trade and other exchange relationships, land claims and environmental impacts, legal systems and rights, political conflicts and alliances, Indigenous political activism, and contemporary Indigenous life, art and its expressions....

Top reviews

JB

Oct 10, 2021

This is a must for anyone, non-indigenous to Indigenous to complete. Should also be a part of the process to become a Canadian citizen. Very well done. I thank you for opening my eyes, mind and heart.

DN

Aug 30, 2020

This is a great survey course about Indigenous Canada. As a participant, I have learned and unlearned so much about Indigenous Canadians, and more important, this course has inspired me to learn more.

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1001 - 1025 of 7,815 Reviews for Indigenous Canada

By Mary E M

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Aug 9, 2021

I learned a great deal in this foundational course. It covered the same periods of Canadian history that I learned about in an Ontario school more than fifty years ago, but from the very different Indigenous perspective. The presenters were articulate role models; the art works both educational and inspiring. Canadians have a right and a responsibility to know our own history. I will be pursuing more like this.

By Fran B

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Mar 15, 2021

I am a 70 year old woman and have lived in Canada my whole life. I knew so little about the Indigenous of this country. I have been enlightened. This has also brought me terrible sadness but it is important to know this history. The settlers of this country have so much to learn about being good "caretakers of this land". I hope you can teach us. Thank you so much for this course. I plan on continuing to learn.

By Erynn R

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Jan 5, 2021

This was such an engaging and informative course. I enjoyed the videos and found the addition of course notes each week to be very helpful to really absorb the learning objectives. I also really enjoyed watching the Sunday discussion group. The art for each week was absolutely stunning and I loved that she broke down each painting to explain it to the viewers. This was an excellent course, thank you for offering!

By Davina S

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Nov 13, 2020

A great foundation for beginning to grasp the issues that Indigenous peoples face and how much diversity exists within Indigenous communities.

The historical context helped to open our eyes, us as white people living in the USA, to the resiliency of First Nations and other Indigenous people.

Even more, the course was a celebration of Indigenous artists and activists.

Will definitely recommend to friends and family!

By Sarah M

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Aug 12, 2022

The content was thoughtfully put together and presented. I really enjoyed the interviews with varoius experts and the interactive painting content.

Some of the quiz questions were phrased a little confusingly (I occasionally found it difficult to understand what the question was asking).

The course is well designed to provide you with the appropriate historical context needed as you progress through each module.

By RAQUEL F

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Oct 16, 2021

This was an excellent course!!!

Every born, and new Canadian should be required to complete this and other courses. This important history of Indigenous Canada was never taught in our Canadian History classes. With a better understanding of this knowledge, we can no longer stand by and observe, we must be active participants in righting the injustices of yesterday, currently and be pro-active for the future.

By Lauren G

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Jul 29, 2021

With all of the current events sparking anger and miscommunication in the media, I wanted to find real, unbiased information and acquire the knowledge I needed in order to be a source of education for my children but also to be a responsible and reliable ally. This course provided with me with a plethora of information that I did not have prior to signing up. I would recommend this program to anyone. Thank you!!

By Marjorie L

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Dec 30, 2020

I AM A 64 YEAR OLD INDIGENOUS WOMAN FROM TREATY 8 LIVING IN TREATY 6 TERRITORTY AND HAVE MANY. INUIT, METIS, ALL NATIONS FRIENDS. I THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME A WALK THROUGH THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE HISTORY AND FOR MAKING THE COURSE UNDERSTANDABLE. I THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE QUIZ QUESTIONS /ANSWERS ATTAINABLE IN ORDER TO PASS THEM. I RECOMMEND THIS COURSE TO PEOPLE OF MY GENERATION .

HIY HIY !

MARJORIE R LALONDE

By Dawn C

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Nov 7, 2020

This course contained an abundance of important recognitions and acknowledgements of Indigenous innovation, resiliency, and longevity. It also demonstrates an accurate portrayal of the settlers ongoing impact on First Nations communities in Canada. This is an excellent course to inform my own teaching, and to really educate learners on a much more complete history of our country. Thank you, this was excellent!

By Kath L

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Oct 11, 2020

This course covered a wide range of topics relevant to helping non-Indigenous Canadians develop an understanding of the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada, and also covered important contemporary topics. I appreciated that it was well paced, informative, and interactive. I wish I had learned more about Indigenous perspectives in school, but since I didn't, I'm glad I had the opportunity to take this course.

By Devan N

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Aug 14, 2020

It was great to have a course from the perspective of those who were colonized. Too often, history is "written by the winning side," and today we, as a society, have much to learn from the ways of other cultures who were not wrong in what they believed. This is especially relevant now in a time when the pendulum has swung too far in the direction of the individual, and the fabric of society is being torn apart.

By David B

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Nov 5, 2022

Excellent course, gave some fabulous insights into the perspective of indigenous North Americans and the impact that "settlers" had and continues to have. Uncomfortable listening at times, more than once did I think "Are you kidding", knowing that there was no kidding involved.

I'd like to think institutional racism was a piece of history. I worry that it's contemporary news, on both sides of the North Atlantic.

By Marlene K

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Jan 16, 2022

This course was deeply informative and moving. I should have (we all should have) learned this decades earlier as a mandatory part of the Canadian school curriculum. So I'm grateful that a course like this exists and that I've had the opportunity to begin to learn about the richness of the cultures that have existed for thousands of years before contact and that continue to exist proudly to this day and beyond.

By Kelly R H

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Nov 6, 2020

I did not want to write my last test because that meant it was over. I cannot tell you the passion and love it has brought me and the highet respect for Dr Bear and Dr Gareau. I wish to continue with the Faculty and will be forever grateful for this wonderful time. In a very dark 2020 this was a time that brought me so much happiness. I have learned so much, and now we as a class know better and will do better.

By S. B

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Aug 27, 2022

I found this course informative and interesting. It left me feeling like I need to find out more. My husband and sons are Metis and my husband is very knowledgeable but there is always more to learn and more to listen to. Thank you so much for your many efforts in putting this course together. I particularly loved the art and it's ability to beautifullly and sometimes communally express need, protest and love.

By Glenda N

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Feb 13, 2021

Interesting, amazing and excellent information on the history and culture of Indigenous Peoples of Canada. It well put together. I'm looking forward to learning more about Indigenous Peoples. Thank you to Dr Tracy Bear, Dr Paul Gareau, The faculty of Native Studies of University of Alberta for their knowledge and passion. Thanks to Coursera and Actor Dan Levy for raising awareness of this educational course.

By Ruth C

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Jan 7, 2021

Extraordinary "prise de conscience". I thought I was relatively well informed on Indigenous history and current culture. How wrong I was. Each module was a great discovery. How I wish that this was compulsory teaching in all schools throughout Canada. Also would greatly benefit new immigrants who often don't know that history and thus don't understand the current fights led by Indigenous people in the country.

By Kathleen W

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Nov 19, 2020

This course is excellent. I have enjoyed every lesson. I have laughed out loud, I have cried or maybe sobbed, I have felt deep shame and I have reflected. I feel truly grateful for the knowledge I have gained. I have shared my new knowledge with my young children and we continue to have conversations about indigenous individuals and cultures. I recommend this course to everyone. It is truly life changing.

By Velvet M

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Nov 10, 2020

I absolutely feel that the content of the course should be taught to everyone as it teaches greater knowledge and awareness of the past and how it relates to the present. The instructors were well-versed and engaging. Thank you for this opportunity to learn more so that I may take these teachings and pass along knowledge to others I will engage with in the future. With deep appreciation and respect, thank you.

By Angelina K

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Nov 3, 2020

Made me laugh, made me cry, stirred and surprised me! The course opened my mind and filled me with wisdom and understanding. This experience marked me for life in ways that I will be forever grateful to know the stories and struggles of the First Nations people both then and now. Take this course if you're ready to be elevated and soar to higher heights mentally, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually :D

By Arndrea S

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Oct 31, 2020

This course is fantastic. As a Canadian, I feel I have had little to no true education about Indigenous culture. This course was a great foundation to start to dive into not only the many issues Indigenous peoples are facing with the Canadian Government, but it lays the foundation to help you learn from the beginning before settler society up to today. I am looking forward to continuing my journey of learning.

By Janet S

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Apr 4, 2020

Thank you for offering this course. I learned so much. I had to unlearn a great deal as my educational K-12 and university education, prior to this course, so Eurocentric. I am glad that my son will be a part of an educational system that will provide more than that one view. I have invited my colleagues, my students' parents, and my family to also participate in your course. It is excellent. Thank you.

By Julie M

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Aug 7, 2023

I sincerely wish to become an ally to indigenous people and those in my community whom i would like to know better. I would like to help anyway i can and will always be seeking out ways to be an ally. I am also interested in obtaining a certificate for this course even though i originally chose to audit it. I am also interested in further education through University of Alberra. Thank you to all Juliet Myers

By Tara G

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Mar 23, 2021

This was one of the most informative courses I have ever taken. I feel like I have a greater sense of history with our indigenous people and better understanding of how we are where we are in history. This course was incredibly well done and the reading resource material is phenomenal and I highly recomend this course to every Canadian, especially if you are working in any capacity with our indeigenous people