LAW589

Wahkotowin Intensive: Miyowîcêhtowin Principles and Practice

(Friedland & Lightning-Earle)

Prerequisite courses: First year courses complete

Prerequisite for:

Instructor(s): Professor Hadley Friedland, Koren Lightning-Earle and a community-based instructional team from Aseniwuche Winewak Nation

Course credit: 3

Term: Summer

Maximum enrollment: 10

Method of presentation: Other

2022 APPLICATIONS DUE SUNDAY, MAY 1, to law.facultyservices@ualberta.ca.

METHOD OF EVALUATION

Seminar and In-camp Activities - 40%

Learning Journal – 20%

Integration Paper - 40%

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This unique intensive course introduces students to sources and resources for engaging with Indigenous – particularly Cree – legal concepts from a language and land-based perspective. The Cree concept of Wahkohtowin (roughly: relationality and interdependence) has been a central tenet of Cree law, philosophy, spirituality and politics for centuries. Miyo-wîcêhtowin is a closely related concept about building and maintaining good relations. Students will actively engage or re-engage with these core precepts of Cree legal thought through a variety of pedagogical methods, guided by professors, elders, and knowledge-keepers within a classroom and a community setting. These may include lectures, stories, language, land-based or nature based teachings, experiential learning, reading, writing, and ceremonial experiences. The central pedagogy the class will be structured around is the traditional tanning of a moose hide and related activities.

HOW TO APPLY

Students interested in this course must submit a separate application. Information on the application process can be found on the Faculty of Law Experiential Courses and Application page.

SPECIAL COMMENTS

Students interested in this course must submit a separate application. Information on the application process can be found on the Faculty of Law Experiential Courses and Application Page.

The camp-based component of this course will take place over four days in Aseniwuche Winewak territory. Students will travel to camp in the afternoon of Thursday, June 30th, returning home Monday, July 4th. In addition to the camp, students will participate in two five-hour preparatory sessions, June 27th and 28th, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on campus prior to the camp. Final papers will be due July 15th.

• This course is largely experiential so participation and active involvement is emphasized heavily. Of particular note:

• This course requires spending four overnights in a camp five hours northwest of Edmonton. You must provide your own bedding and appropriate clothing. You will receive a list of recommendations. There are no extra fees for this course this year, as accommodations and course material costs are provided through an Alberta Law Foundation grant and transportation costs are covered through Experiential Learning grants from the Faculty of Law.

• Many camp activities will be outdoors and are of a physical nature. Students should be prepared for mild to moderate physical exertion, some walking on uneven ground, as well as all sorts of weather.

• A major activity the camp is centred around is the making a traditional brain-tanned moose hide with elders and other experts. This activity involves physical exertion and touching raw moose hide.

• If you have mobility or other challenges, and are unsure of your ability to participate in the camp setting as a result, you are encouraged to talk to the instructors beforehand. We will strive to make necessary accommodations and may be able to adapt activities on a personalized level to ensure this experience is as welcoming and inclusive as possible for all.

• No alcohol or drug use is permitted during the camp.

• Please note that enhanced Covid-safety protocols beyond current University of provincial standards may apply.

REQUIRED TEXTS (IF ANY)

Stephanie Irlbacher-Fox, Finding Dahshaa: Self-Government, Social Suffering and Aboriginal Policy in Canada (Vancouver: UBC Press, 2009).

All other course readings and materials will be provided to students through TWEN for the preparatory seminars.