About

Indigenous Studies is designed to promote a comprehensive understanding of Indigenous peoples by examining Indigenous traditions, histories, languages and philosophies and their contribution to national and international communities.


Quick facts
  • Three or four year degree
  • Full or part-time program
  • You can enter this program directly from high school
  • You can begin this program off-campus

What you will learn

You will learn about Indigenous experiences, from present day challenges to pre-contact histories as you examine historical and contemporary realities of Indian, Métis and Inuit societies in Canada. You will learn the historic and contemporary Indigenous perspectives that guide their interactions with other Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people as you explore the similarities and differences experienced by Indigenous societies within their community and around the world.

A first-year schedule sample

This degree program is flexible and offers you the opportunity to take courses in many different subject areas. Here’s what a typical first-year schedule might look like:

Course Description

Fall Term
INDG 107a Introduction to Canadian Indigenous Studies
HIST 125b History Matters Indigenous Colonial and Post Colonial Histories
MATH 101c Quantitative Reasoning
CREE 110d nehiyawetan Let Us Speak Cree
POLS 111d Democratic Citizenship in Canada

Winter Term
INDG 210d Indigenous Ways of Knowing
MUS 111d History of Popular Music
GEOG 125d Environmental Science and Society
DRAM 108d What is Theatre
ENG 114d Literature and Composition Reading Culture

a Required course for the major
b One of the course options to complete the English Language Writing Requirement
c One of the course options to complete the Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
d One of the course options which may be used in the Breadth, Cognate, and/or Electives Requirements

The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.

INDG 252.3 — Introduction to Indigenous Studies Research Methods
This course develops student understandings of research methodologies, concepts and practices in Indigenous Studies. It will introduce students to qualitative and quantitative research methods including Indigenous research methodologies, methods and techniques. It provides students with research knowledge, skills and tools for performing research in Indigenous communities.

INDG 361.3 — Indigenous Community Development in the 21st Century
This course examines obstacles to and strategies for community development. Students will be encouraged to explore possible models that First Nations, Metis and other economically marginalized communities can employ. Beginning with a theoretical understanding of community economic development that will provide students with a sound grounding on how and why underdevelopment exists. This course will look at community development theories and practices that focus on local and sustainable principles as well as ones that reflect Indigenous values of holism and community well-being.

INDG 471.3 — Indigenous Women: Feminism, Politics, and Resistance
This course explores issues relating to the historical and contemporary experiences of Indigenous women in northern North America. It examines themes including Indigenous understandings of gender and kinship; the history of settler colonial policy and the regulation of Indigenous women; the law and criminalization; labour and informal economies; politics and activism; and motherhood and child welfare. This course also considers Indigenous feminist analyses and its relationship to understanding Indigenous women's issues.

Location
Teaching and research are well grounded in the priorities and knowledge of Saskatchewan’s Aboriginal communities, all the while placing them within the larger fabric of the Canadian Aboriginal experience and the emergent global, social phenomenon of indigeneity.

Careers

Some career opportunities include:

  • Community educator
  • Researcher
  • Teacher
  • Environmental advisor
  • Community liaison worker
  • Policy advisor
  • Aboriginal issues coordinator
  • Youth worker
  • Corrections officer
  • Journalist
  • Mediator
  • Employment counsellor
  • Cultural anthropologist
  • Communications officer
  • Economic development manager
  • Liaison officer
  • Advocate
  • Political analyst

Tuition estimates

Canadian students International students
Tuition $7,547 $36,528
Student fees $1,121 $1,121
Books $1,500 $1,500
Total $10,168 $39,149

Tuition will vary depending on the type and number of classes you take in a year. This estimate reflects a typical amount you could expect to pay in your first year if you enroll in a full course load, the maximum number of courses allowed (2024-2025 Canadian dollar rates).
Student fees are used to fund specific student benefits, including health, vision and dental coverage, a bus pass, recreational programs and fitness centre access.
The cost of books and supplies varies widely depending on the courses you choose. It is recommended that you budget between $1,500-$2,500 per year.

Program options

These Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Indigenous Studies degrees are offered by the University of Saskatchewan's College of Arts and Science:

You should consult with an academic advisor in the college when you begin your studies to decide if you want a four-year, three-year or honours degree.

Admission requirements and deadlines

Deadlines

Start term Application DeadlineInternational Deadline
Winter
January 2025
Dec 1, 2024
Documents due: Dec 15, 2024
Sep 1, 2024
Documents due: Oct 1, 2024
Spring
May 2025
Apr 1, 2025
Documents due: May 1, 2025
Feb 1, 2025
Documents due: Mar 1, 2025
Summer
July 2025
May 1, 2025
Documents due: Jun 1, 2025
Mar 1, 2025
Documents due: Apr 1, 2025
Fall
September 2025
Aug 15, 2025
Documents due: Aug 15, 2025
May 1, 2025
Documents due: Jun 1, 2025
Winter
January 2026
Dec 1, 2025
Documents due: Dec 15, 2025
Sep 1, 2025
Documents due: Oct 1, 2025

Ready to apply?

A non-refundable application fee of $90 CAD is required before your application will be processed.

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