Department of Indigenous Education (INDED)
1 First Nations Way
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4S 7K2
Phone: 306-790-5950, extension 3250
Fax: 306-790-5994
Email: dkaiswatum@firstnationsuniversity.ca
The First Nations University of Canada’s Department of Indigenous Education promotes the development and nurturing of quality teachers. Our mission and guiding principles are the focus of all our efforts in supporting students as they join our learning community. Our goal is to produce teachers who can promote First Nation’s control of First Nation’s education by developing and implementing First Nation’s content. Our program provides academic, on-campus study balanced with extensive experiential learning both in non-First Nations and First Nations classrooms and communities. We prepare teachers who are skilled, knowledgeable and able to work within the framework of the Saskatchewan Core Curriculum. We place special emphasis on the development of First Nations content and processes in the Required Areas of Study and the Common Essential Leanings. The B.ED./BEAD programs are focused on the development and integration of First Nation content into curriculum. While the emphasis of the program is on Language Arts, specializations may be pursued in Indian Languages, Indian Art, Indigenous Studies, Indian Health Studies or any of the core curriculum areas (reading, math, science, social studies and physical education). The Department of Indigenous Education program courses are adapted to include First Nations content in all subject areas. Specific Indian Education courses have been designed to introduce students to the unique needs of First Nations pupils and address the issues of First Nation Education. Cultural components are integrated throughout the program with a specific off-campus cultural component offered in the second year of the program. (EIOE 215 and EIOE 225). ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Students enter the program through general admission to the University with high school graduation, or Faculty Transfers. Applicants for all programs are subject to selection. The Department of Indigenous Education limits student admission to all programs. Students must apply and be interviewed for admission to the Department of Indigenous Education programs. There are three student intake periods: April and July for the Fall semester and September for the winter semester, for acceptance into the Elementary and Secondary programs. Once selected into the program, students are required to plan programs in consultation with an assigned Academic Advisor in the Student Success Services. ACADEMIC REGULATIONS Academic regulations follow those of the University of Regina, with some specific guidelines established by the Department of Indigenous Education. Students' progress from one semester to the next is dependent upon achieving positive assessments in faculty reviews of both academics and professional development. For further information, please see the University of Regina, General Academic Calendar, Faculty of Education section. ELEMENTARY PROGRAMS Bachelor of Education-Elementary (Indigenous Education) The Department of Indigenous Education offers a four-year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree in elementary education with a concentration in Indigenous Education and an emphasis on language arts. Options for other teaching specializations include: Indian Languages, Indigenous Studies, Indian Health Studies, Indian Art, and Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education. Bachelor of Education After Degree Program (BEAD)-Elementary (Indigenous Education) The Indigenous Education Department offers a five semester Bachelor of Education After Degree (BEAD) program for those students who have an approved first degree. The BEAD program begins in the winter semester (January), and has a concentration in Indigenous Education. The Department seeks to prepare teachers who have a well-rounded generalist orientation to the elementary school curriculum, therefore, a background in the liberal arts with some depth in the teaching subject areas is expected. The following courses, or equivalents, have been identified as normal prerequisites for acceptance into the program: English 100, Math 101, Indigenous 100, Indian Language 100. If these course have not been completed as part of earlier studies, students may apply for admission to the BEAD program and be accepted conditionally upon prerequisites being completed prior to the September commencement of Semester 1. Some timetable flexability of prerequisites exists. Students should seek academic advising as early as possible. Field Experience Components The Indigenous Education program includes extensive field experiences. Early field experiences occur in Year I with EPS 116, and EPS 100. The classroom practicum is a component of Year II when students take EPS 215, and EPS 225. In these semesters, students take education methodology courses and apply methodologies in the school placements. Year III has a required practicum in a Band School in Saskatchewan with the EINE 305 course. This semester emphasizes culturally relevant programming, the adaptation and creation of curriculum and the methodology to meet the needs of First Nations pupils. Students are expected to apply knowledge in the field experience by preparing and teaching units based on First Nations content, and by using culturally relevant managment and teaching strategies. In Year IV, students have a sixteen-week school placement (EFLD 400/405) in a Saskatchewan urban, rural, or Band school. SECONDARY PROGRAMS The Secondary Program prepares students for teaching at the high school level. The department of Indigenous Education offers a four year Bachelor of Education and a two year Bachelor of Education After Degree for those students who have an approved first degree. The framework for these programs is based upon the University of Regina Secondary Program. The First Nations University of Canada emphasizes Aboriginal processes, worldviews and knowledge along the field experiences integrated with course offerings. Bachelor of Education-Secondary (Indigenous Education) The Department of Indigenous Education offers an 8 semester BEd. program. Secondary Teacher Education students must select a major and a minor area of study in the BEd. The Indian Education program allows students to select a major in Indigenous Studies delivered by the First Nations University of Canada. Students may select other majors from offerings in the Faculty of Education. Minor areas of study maybe selected from those available in the Faculty of Education. Bachelor of Education After Degree (BEAD) -Secondary (Indigenous Education) An approved university degree which includes at least 24 hours of approved courses in a school teaching major and 18 hours of approved courses in a school teaching minor is required for entrance. The program normally requires completion of a minimum of 60 credit hours. Additional courses maybe required to complete requirements of the major or minor areas of study. In addition to satisfying major and minor requirements, students must complete EPS 100 and EPS 200 prior to the pre-internship semester. While students may, under special circumstances, take these two courses concurrently, they are urged to take EPS 100 either as part of their first degree, or before they begin the BEAD program. Appropriate professional development and an average of 70.00% in the major are normally required for entrance into internship. Field Experience Components The Indigenous Education BEAD program includes student teaching experiences in each semester of the program, including EPS 100, EPS 200, EPS 350, EINE 305, and EFLD 400. EINE 305 has a requirement for practicum in a First Nations school in Saskatchewan. In EFLD 400, students have a sixteen week school placement in an urban, rural, or First Nations school. CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS Certificate of Extended Studies in Aboriginal Education The Certificate is designed to fulfull an expressed need for a Saskatchewan specific culturally sensitive training program that can be implemented with and for teachers who work with Aboriginal students and their families. The certificate will assist teachers in gaining additional understanding about Aboriginal culture, language, history, identify, and approaches to knowledge. The certificate addresses the identified need by Saskatchewan Learning to provide opportunities to enhance teacher knowledge in the area of Aboriginal education. Certificate of Extended Studies in First Nations Languages The Certificate has been developed for those who hold a Bachelor of Education degree with an Indian Language background that want to increase their knowledge and training in First Nations language teaching. It is an additional qualification and teachers will be eligible for reclassification through BTEC.
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