Indigenous-Settler Relations in Canadian Society (SOAN*4210)

Code and section: SOAN*4210*01

Term: Winter 2026

Instructor: Jeji Varghese

Details

Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Guelph
SOAN*4210: Indigenous-Settler Relations in Canadian Society Winter 2026
(: Decolonization, Indigenization and Reconciliation)
Instructor: Dr. Jeji Varghese E-mail: varghese@uoguelph.ca

Calendar Description: “This seminar-based course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to explore contemporary Indigenous-Settler relations in Canadian Society. Grounded in an exploration of worldviews and meaningful knowledge systems engagement, the course may explore governance, decolonisation, re-appropriation, reconciliation, etc. The specific content areas will vary depending on the instructor. Prerequisite(s):12.5 credits including 1 of (ANTH*2660-Contemporary Native Peoples of Canada, IDEV*2400 Development, Social Justice and Human Rights, IDEV*2500-International Development Studies, GEOG*2210 – Environment and Resources or SOAN*2290- Identities and Cultural Diversity) and 1 of (GEOG*2260-Applied Human Geography, IDEV*2100 Research in International Development, IES*2010-Land-Based Teachings for Environmental Science and Practice, or SOAN*3070- Qualitative and Observational Methods)”
Course Overview: Are you ready to explore the complexity of Indigenous-Settler relations and nature stewardship and natural resource governance in the Northern part of Turtle Island, commonly called Canada? Have you ever considered your responsibilities towards Land, on which you live, work, and learn? This engaging seminar-based course offers a unique opportunity to explore these critical issues through a blend of academic and non-academic sources and land pedagogies. We will engage deeply with reflexivity, decolonial practices, and collaborative learning, drawing on Indigenous pedagogies to refine your oral communication and facilitation skills. We’ll delve into engagement across knowledge systems as we explore renewable resources (like wildlife, water, and forests) and non-renewable resources (such as oil, gas, metals, and minerals). Plus, you'll get hands-on experience with land pedagogy, fostering your relations to Land and beyond human kin and as well as possibly a community engaged learning (CEL) knowledge mobilization project.
Pedagogical Approach: Many students have found this seminar to be a transformative and rewarding experience. They've noted that it enhances their understanding, fostering practical communication and collaboration skills, and creates a strong sense of community. This course will be delivered face-to-face, with some asynchronous materials and activities available through CourseLink throughout the semester. Our seminar approach is designed to develop your critical thinking, facilitation skills, and active engagement in learning. We will also co-design aspects of the course together, allowing you to contribute to the learning process and tailor the experience to your interests and needs. You'll participate in small and large group discussions, gaining the knowledge and skills to achieve the course learning outcomes. You'll achieve the learning outcomes through readings, podcasts, multimedia, discussions, activities, land pedagogy, and some written but mainly oral work. To succeed, you are expected to: Attend all classes (or complete a makeup assignment for up to 2 classes); Actively engage with assigned materials before class and be ready to discuss them; Actively and thoughtfully participate in class
activities; Practice multiple ways of storing and retrieving your learning; Treat each other with respect; Review and follow guidelines and rubrics before completing assignments, including Gen AI use permissions; Submit assignments on time and review feedback.
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the course, successful students will be able to:
1. Analyse natural resource governance/nature stewardship issues on land known as Canada by exploring historical and contemporary Indigenous-Settler relations.
2. Describe the challenges and opportunities of engaging multiple knowledge systems in nature stewardship/governance.
3. Reflexively explore contributions to Indigenous-Settler relations, decolonization, and land reconciliation
4. Develop and refine effective communication skills using the ideas, connections, and extensions (ICE) and wholistic (Heart, Body, Mind and Spirit) frameworks and meaningful collaborative learning by participating in circles (and the community engaged learning project).
5. Demonstrate mastery of critical thinking, effective knowledge storage and retrieval, circle facilitation, time management, critical and ethical GenAI literacy, and knowledge mobilisation skills
6. Demonstrate personal responsibility and initiative for current and on-going learning.
Course Materials: Will be accessible via Library’s ARES Course Reserve System and through CourseLink, including the following book: Alfred, Taiaiake. 2023. It’s All About the Land: Collected Talks and Interviews on Indigenous Resurgence. Edited by Ann Rogers Foreword by Pamela Palmater. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Assessments1:

1 Assessment elements and weight may change prior to the release of the official syllabus in January 2026.