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Canadian Indigenous History and Cultural Sensitivity

4.7 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 612 ratings
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Nisto Consulting Inc. (Holly Fortier)

For the past ten years Holly Fortier (Cree/Dene from Ft. McKay First Nation, Alberta) has traveled across Canada facilitating Indigenous Awareness training courses for government agencies, major corporations, educational institutions and many other groups.

At the request of individuals who were unable to attend her classroom groups, she has created this comprehensive online course to accommodate those wish to educate themselves in Indigenous relations, cultural practices, and the historical impact of colonization.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • What canada and the first peoples looked like pre-contact.
  • The historical implications of colonization, indian reserves, treaties, and residential schools.
  • The proper protocol when working with indigenous communities.

Syllabus

Indigenous Canada: A History
Pre-Contact
Contact
First Nation, Métis, Inuit
Read more

Do Aboriginal People have the highest rate of Diabetes in Canada?

Harvard University looked at Indigenous Peoples moving forward through which of the following?

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Guides professionals in promoting more ethical relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations
Provides context for understanding the present-day relationship between Indigenous communities and Canadian institutions
Offers insights into the historical and cultural complexities of Indigenous relations in Canada
Addresses current issues and challenges faced by Indigenous communities, such as health disparities and land rights
Suitable for individuals seeking to enhance their understanding and sensitivity towards Indigenous peoples and cultures

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Reviews summary

Essential canadian indigenous history & protocol

According to students, this course offers an essential foundation in Canadian Indigenous history and cultural sensitivity. Learners consistently highlight the instructor, Holly Fortier, as incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and capable of presenting complex and sensitive topics with grace and truth. Many found the course to be an eye-opening experience, deepening their understanding of colonization, treaties, and residential schools, and providing practical insights for respectful engagement. While the course is broadly praised for its comprehensive content, a few reviewers suggested more in-depth practical exercises or contemporary examples for advanced learners. Overall, it's considered a vital education for both personal and professional development.
Mostly lecture-based, but includes impactful elements.
"While the history is crucial, I was hoping for more practical exercises or group discussions..."
"I particularly appreciated the modules on treaties and residential schools, and the 'Talking Circle' was a profound experience."
"The resources provided, especially the Course Manual, are very helpful."
"It felt more like a lecture series than an interactive online course."
Equips learners with tools for respectful engagement.
"It gave me a much deeper understanding and tools to interact respectfully."
"This course not only educated me on the history but also equipped me with practical understanding for better engagement with Indigenous patients and communities."
"I feel much more informed and confident in engaging in discussions and actions related to reconciliation."
"The depth of historical information combined with the practical aspects of cultural awareness made it incredibly valuable."
Course provides a thorough historical and cultural overview.
"This course is absolutely essential for anyone living or working in Canada. ... It gave me a much deeper understanding..."
"The content is well-structured and covers a wide range of topics from pre-contact to modern issues."
"An eye-opening experience. This course provides an unparalleled perspective on Canadian history from an Indigenous viewpoint."
"I learned a lot about the historical impact of colonization and the Indian Act, which I previously knew little about."
Learners praise Holly Fortier's deep knowledge and engaging delivery.
"Holly Fortier is an incredibly knowledgeable and engaging instructor. She presents complex and often painful history in a way that is accessible and deeply impactful."
"Holly's delivery is sincere and her personal anecdotes add so much value."
"Holly is an excellent communicator, and the way she tackles sensitive topics like residential schools and dispelling myths is incredibly powerful."
"Amazing course by a truly inspiring instructor."
Some desired more practical exercises or advanced case studies.
"My only minor critique is that some sections felt a bit rushed, and I would have liked more detailed case studies on applying the cultural protocols..."
"I was hoping for more practical exercises or group discussions to apply the concepts. ... I feel I'll need further training to be truly 'sensitive'."
"While the subject matter is undeniably important, I felt this course didn't live up to its 'cultural sensitivity' promise for a professional context. ... lacked deeper dives into practical, nuanced interaction protocols."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Canadian Indigenous History and Cultural Sensitivity with these activities:
Review key concepts from Canadian History
Improve comprehension of the course's historical content by reviewing fundamental Canadian history concepts.
Show steps
  • Read a summary of Canadian history from pre-contact to present day.
  • Watch a documentary or video about a significant event in Canadian history.
  • Create a timeline of important dates and events in Canadian history.
Read "The Inconvenient Indian" by Thomas King
Gain insights into Indigenous perspectives and experiences through the writings of a renowned Indigenous author.
Show steps
  • Purchase or borrow a copy of "The Inconvenient Indian".
  • Read the book.
  • Reflect on the book's themes and arguments.
  • Write a review of the book.
Learn about treaties and their impact on Indigenous communities
Gain a deeper understanding of the legal framework governing Indigenous-Crown relations by following guided tutorials on treaties.
Show steps
  • Follow an online tutorial on the history of treaties in Canada.
  • Read a legal analysis of a specific treaty.
  • Participate in an online discussion forum about the impact of treaties on Indigenous communities.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Participate in a peer discussion group on Indigenous issues
Engage in critical discussion and exchange perspectives with peers to deepen understanding of Indigenous issues.
Show steps
  • Find a peer discussion group focused on Indigenous issues.
  • Attend and participate in the discussion group.
  • Share your own perspectives and listen to the perspectives of others.
Volunteer at a local Indigenous organization
Enhance understanding and build empathy by volunteering in an Indigenous community setting.
Show steps
  • Research local Indigenous organizations.
  • Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Attend a volunteer orientation.
  • Participate in volunteer activities.
Contribute to an open-source project related to Indigenous issues
Make a tangible contribution to the Indigenous community by participating in open-source projects.
Show steps
  • Find an open-source project related to Indigenous issues.
  • Read the project's documentation.
  • Make contributions to the project.
Create a presentation on a topic related to Indigenous relations
Solidify knowledge and understanding by creating a presentation that synthesizes information from the course.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic related to Indigenous relations that you are interested in.
  • Research your topic and gather information from credible sources.
  • Create a presentation that is clear, concise, and engaging.
  • Present your presentation to a group of peers or colleagues.
Develop a proposal for a project that addresses an Indigenous issue
Apply knowledge gained in the course by developing a proposal that tackles a real-world Indigenous issue.
Show steps
  • Identify an Indigenous issue that you are passionate about.
  • Research the issue and develop a project proposal.
  • Present your project proposal to a group of peers or colleagues.

Career center

Learners who complete Canadian Indigenous History and Cultural Sensitivity will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

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Course image
Rating
4.7 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
1 total hour
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Nisto Consulting Inc. (Holly Fortier)
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Guides professionals in promoting more ethical relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations
Provides context for understanding the present-day relationship between Indigenous communities and Canadian institutions
Offers insights into the historical and cultural complexities of Indigenous relations in Canada
Addresses current issues and challenges faced by Indigenous communities, such as health disparities and land rights
Suitable for individuals seeking to enhance their understanding and sensitivity towards Indigenous peoples and cultures
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