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Native Studies

Studying Native Studies allows you to take a critical look at historical and contemporary issues.

Discover Native Studies

The Native Studies Department uses historical materialist methodology to examine past and current issues relating to the struggle for Indigenous independence from the occupation and imposition of imperialist nation-states, such as Canada and the United States.

Why Native Studies at STU

Our department is designed to provide all students with the opportunity to explore the historical and contemporary issues of the Indigenous nations of North America. The department also offers a Native Language Immersion Teaching Certificate Program with Professor Emerita Andrea Bear Nicholas.

Concentrations in Native Studies

Historical

We examine how issues relating to imperialism developed.

 

Mental/Physical Health

We explain how Indigenous health is under attack by imperialist nation-states.

 

Law

We explain how laws are developed and maintained to alienate Indigenous peoples from their land. 

Topics in Native Studies

  • Why do imperialist nation-states continuously target Indigenous women and children with genocide?

  • How are Indigenous oral traditions and histories being threatened under Canadian law?

  • Where are there land claims?

  • How do land claims work?

  • What happened before and after 1492?

  • Why do we take Issue with universities teaching Indigenous cultures and spiritualties?

After Graduation

Graduates from Native Studies often pursue careers in law, human rights, social work, policy and government, and education. Graduates also continue their academic careers in graduate programs.

Endowed Chair in Native Studies

STU was the first university in Canada to establish a chair in Native Studies. The current chair is the Hon. Graydon Nicholas—former Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick. member of the Order of Canada, and Chancellor of St. Thomas University. 

Sample Courses

  • Introduction to Native Studies
  • Science, Ethics, and Native People
  • Native Philosophy
  • Native Peoples and the Canadian Form of Racism
  • Native People and the Law I
  • Mi'kmaq History
  • Introduction to Indigenous/Cultural Psychology