Course description
In this course, students will examine Indigenous societies' pre-colonial family structures, contextualizing them within the devastating impact of imperial interventions such as the Indian Act, Residential Schools, and the Sixties Scoop. Through the lens of Indigenous worldviews, students will critically reflect on their familial backgrounds, recognizing and celebrating their families' unique gifts, strengths, and resilience. By engaging with Indigenous knowledge systems, including Elders' teachings, Indigenous Storywork, and the lessons embedded within, students will gain insight into how these resources can inform the revitalization of Indigenous-focused family support systems.
Course content
- Integrating Indigenous knowledge and practices into service delivery for Indigenous families contributes to culturally safe and relevant approaches that respect Indigenous communities and promote resilience, wellness, and healing.
- A comprehensive understanding of the various policies and legislation impacting Indigenous children, youth. and families, both historically and presently, provides an understanding of how the policies shape the experiences or challenges faced by Indigenous children, youth, and families.
- Collaboration and accountability are essential to working with Indigenous children, youth, and families.
- Indigenous people are particularly skilled at raising resilient children.
- Indigenous people have inherent rights and self-determination in child and family services.
Learning activities
- Lecture
- Group work
- Student presentations
- Guest speakers
- Audio-visual presentations
All methods of instruction apply to in class, hybrid and/or online modes of learning.
Means of assessment
This course will conform to the Douglas College Evaluation Policy regarding the number and weighting of evaluations.
- Written assignments
- Group presentations
- Self-assessment
- Classroom activity participation
- Other
This is a letter-graded course.
Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation as part of the student’s graded performance. Expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the instructor's course outline.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Analyze and articulate the intergenerational effects of colonization, the Indian residential school system, adoption, foster care, and the justice system on Indigenous families;
- Engage in a reflective exploration of their lived family experiences, recognizing the nuances of their family dynamics and histories;
- Interpret and apply Indigenous Knowledge and how these teachings can impact family networks and promote holistic well-being within Indigenous communities;
- Explore how Indigenous ways of being, doing, knowing, and becoming support the practitioner in developing a collaborative and culturally safe environment when working with families;
- Articulate a foundational understanding of various theories regarding family dynamics and developmental frameworks while critically examining relevance within Indigenous contexts.
Textbook materials
Textbooks and materials are to be purchased by students. A list of required textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of the semester.