vcc.ca
CNSK 1510: Indigenous Perspectives
Effective date
January 2024
Department
Counselling Skills
School
Continuing Studies
Description
This course assists students in their roles as a helper by providing awareness of the diversity of Indigenous Nations and cultures, impacts of colonization, and models of healing and wellness. As part of a movement towards reconciliation, students will engage in experiential learning and witnessing and will have the opportunity to incorporate their understanding into their work.
Credits
2.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Acknowledge the historical impacts and current effects of colonization
- Describe the diversity of Indigenous communities, cultures, languages, and practices
- Identify and describe traditional and contemporary Indigenous models of healing and wellness
- Develop deeper awareness of the meaning and spirit of reconciliation from an Indigenous perspective and what that might mean for their clients
- Discuss their personal experience of ceremonies and practices and incorporate their experiences into their work
- Apply select Indigenous models of healing and wellness within the context of addiction and recovery
- Examine challenges related to addiction in the context of historical trauma, systemic opression, and racism
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
PLAR will be assessed by the Department according to standardized practice and using one or more of the following components: Challenge Exam, Demonstration, Interview, or External Evaluation.
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 30
Total Hours: 30
Total Hours: 30
Instructional Strategies
Lecture, videos, group discussion/work, experiential group activities, reflective writing, readings, participation in ceremony
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
C
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Assignments |
35 |
Research paper |
|
Project |
25 |
Case studies and presentation |
|
Assignments |
20 |
Reflective journals |
|
Assignments |
10 |
Discussion questions from the textbook(s) |
|
Participation |
10 |
Professionalism |
Course topics
- • Introduction to the Sharing Circle • Colonial history of Canada (pre-contact, and KAIROS Blanket Exercise) • Diversity of nations, cultures, communities, ceremonies, and practices • Historical timeline (Traditional and modern governance, historical and modern treaties, Bill C.31, and the Indian Act) • Colonial history (Residential School System, day schools, Indian Hospitals and Sanatoriums) • Colonial history (60s scoop and current context – Youth-in-Care, over-incarceration, intergenerational effects, foster care and adoption) • Participation in ceremony • Traditional models of healing and wellness • Decolonizing addiction: models of wellness and recovery
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.