Indigenous Focused Courses
Table of Contents
Indigenous Course Work Overview
Effective the 2023/24 school year, all students working toward a B.C. Certificate of Graduation (“Dogwood Diploma”), in English or French, must successfully complete at least 4 credits in Indigenous-focused coursework.
For more information of the Indigenous Course Work requirement visit the MiMinistry of education website.
English First Peoples (EFP) 10: Literary Studies and New Media
MEFLS10-2T-NM Credits: 4
EFP is designed for students who are interested in exploring First Peoples literature in a variety of contexts, genres, and media. This area of choice provides students with opportunities to explore personal and cultural identities, histories, stories, and connections to land/place. Students will delve deeply into First Peoples’ oral and written literature in a range of media to explore various themes, authors and topics.
Successful completion of this course will satisfy the English 10 graduation requirement and the Indigenous-Focused graduation requirement.
English First Peoples (EFP)11: Literary Studies and New Media
MELNM11-4S Credits: 4
EFP 11 is designed for students who are interested in exploring First Peoples literature in a variety of contexts, genres, and media. This area of choice provides students with opportunities to explore personal and cultural identities, histories, stories, and connections to land/place. Students will delve deeply into First Peoples’ oral and written literature in a range of media to explore various themes, authors and topics.
Successful completion of this course will satisfy the English 11 graduation requirement and the Indigenous-Focused graduation requirement.
English First Peoples (EFP) 12
MENFP12-4S Credits: 4
This is an academic alternative to the English 12 course. It is based on the study of literature that represents authentic First Peoples’ voices. Such texts include oral, visual, and film texts as well as written works. This course is designed to appeal to students who are interested in gaining a background in First Peoples’ worldviews as well as an understanding of the interaction between First Peoples and European cultures. It takes a thematic approach to First Peoples literature and addresses a variety of topics important to First Peoples. As an English 12 equivalent, EFP 12 also focuses on practice and improvement of students’ written and oral communication skills.
Successful completion of this course will satisfy the English 12 graduation requirement and the Indigenous-Focused graduation requirement.
Contemporary Indigenous Studies 12
INST12-4S Credits: 4
Prerequisite: SS 10
Contemporary Indigenous Studies 12 aims to bring local and global perspectives on Indigenous peoples in the past and present. By drawing from stories, statistics, and academic sources, students are encouraged to zoom in to practice belonging within themselves. They are also asked to zoom out to recognize responsibility with how they relate to their class, school, community, and greater world. Indigenous history, language, and culture will be explored through cooperative learning activities such whole-class and small group discussions. Inquiry will be focused around land, language, relations, and identity to support student understanding of Indigenous worldviews, the impacts of colonialism, and reconciliation. Self-reflection will also be an important method to monitor understanding and then take action with one’s learning.
Successful completion of this course will satisfy the Social Studies 12 graduation requirement and the Indigenous-Focused graduation requirement.
BC First Peoples 12
MBCFP12-4S Credits: 4
Prerequisite: SS 10
B.C. First Peoples 12 is designed to introduce Indigenous Knowledge and Worldviews through exploration of the First Peoples Principles of Learning. More specifically, learners are invited to experience the reoccurring and related concepts of interconnectedness, language, traditional stories, and protocols. As a result, cooperative learning activities such whole-class and small group discussions are often offered. In addition, learners will unpack topics related to colonialism that include but are not limited to the Indian Act and Indigenous Rights and Title. More specifically, teachings from the Syilx Okanagan People are emphasized to invite learners to build an understanding of the multi-layered relationships people share with themselves, others, land, and all living beings.
Successful completion of this course will satisfy the Social Studies 12 graduation requirement and the Indigenous-Focused graduation requirement.