Indigenous Studies

students meeting in the Office of Indigenous Initiatives — Nipissing First Nation collaborates with Nipissing University

Students have a unique opportunity to participate in Community Service-Learning programs with Nbisiing Secondary School

a student in the library — Welcoming Diversity

There are more than 600 self-identified First Nation, Inuit, and Metis students enrolled at Nipissing and its campus partner Canadore College

Welcome to Indigenous Studies at Nipissing University

Indigenous Studies offers you an opportunity to learn about Indigenous cultures, philosophies, literature, histories and contemporary issues that are central to this land that we live in. Its multidisciplinary approach reflects the holistic understandings of mino bimaadsiwin, so your studies will include the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual aspects that are needed for true learning according to Indigenous thought.

A Message From Our Students

"Pursuing a minor in Indigenous Studies was one of the best decisions I made at Nipissing University. I gained more knowledge and a deeper understanding of the topics discussed not only from my professors but also from my peers. It is a very welcoming program rooted in inclusiveness, that also challenges you to view the world through a different lens."
- Sarah Pecoskie-Schweir

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Student Showcase

A showcase of photos, artwork and cultural learning by our talented Indigenous students, staff and faculty. Plus, find details about upcoming indigenous events as well as an archive of past events, posters and other information.

View the showcase

Community Service Learning

Community Service-Learning (CSL) represents experiential learning opportunities with an interactive, reciprocal and community-engaged approach to education followed by meaningful reflection to help consolidate learnings in both the classroom and community.

Learn more about CSL

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Indigenous Studies

Indigenous Studies at Nipissing University

Certificates available to all Nipissing students

Built upon traditional First Nations land and with a number of First Nations communities in the area, North Bay and Nipissing University are significant centres of Indigenous influence and activity. It would be challenging to find a more appropriate or ideal place than Nipissing to study and engage with a diversity of Indigenous cultures, communities and organizations. Our program strives to achieve a balance between social science and humanities approaches for the study and enrichment of Indigenous communities and cultures.

Our Indigenous Studies program welcomes both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in an inclusive, side-by-side learning environment. Our program assists our students with accumulating a comprehensive academic foundation in writing and critical thinking skills, and emphasizes hands-on experiential learning with both the urban and rural Indigenous communities in the area.

Office of Indigenous Initiatives

Our Office of Indigenous Initiatives (Enjigiigdoyang) is available to help you transition smoothly into the university system with many useful services at your fingertips such as, tutoring and counseling. It will also connect you with interactive activities, guest speakers, and elders. You will find plenty of support and opportunities to make new friends!

Facilities

Nipissing's campus is located on a stunning 291 hectares of Canadian Shield forest. With our focus on student-centred living and learning, you will feel a sense of community the moment you step on campus.

The Harris Learning Library

The Harris Learning Library was completed in 2011 and provides 56,000 square feet of study space with natural light and a modern award-winning design. The new library features expanded print collections, a learning commons, an adaptive technology area, and collaborative work spaces.

Indigenous Resources guide

Academic Support Services

Our goal is to support your academic and personal development. Look for assistance with accessibility services, learning style assessments, writing skills, writing formats, study strategies, time management, note-taking skills, academic resources, group seminars, peer support, career development activities, and more. Learn More...

Financial Support Services

Achieve your goals on time and on budget. We’ll help you fund your education through scholarships, awards, bursaries, government assistance, and work study programs. Learn More...

Scholarships, awards, and bursaries for students in the Indigenous Studies program

Internationalize your Degree

If you want to experience a year or a semester at one of our partner schools across the globe, we have support services and programs to help you get there. If you want to assist International students with adjusting to life in Canada, we’ll connect you. Check out your options...

Personal Counselling Services

Our registered counsellors offer free, year-round personal counselling services, specialized therapeutic groups, referral services and a host of wellness, educational and awareness events to all full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students. Learn More...

Residences

Our top-rated residences will make you feel right at home. You will make fast friends with your residence community. Our student leaders, Residence Dons, and award winning residence staff give tutorials on everything from the basics of laundry and cooking to making connections within the community. Learn More...

“I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand.” Confucius

Experiential learning is an effective medium that enhances and reinforces classroom learning. In addition, skills and competencies in the areas of communication, teamwork, analysis, work ethic, and problem solving are all learning outcomes that assist with finding the right career path for you.

Third and fourth year Arts and Science Students will be interested in our 3 credit course, UNIV 3006 Experiential Learning for Arts and Science Students. Within this course, academic assignments and at least 60 hours of placement in the community within a field that is related to your course of study is offered.

Experiential Learning Program for Arts & Science Students (ELAS)

The Experiential Learning for Arts & Science Program (ELAS) is an exclusive project between Student Development & Services, the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce (NBDCC) and the Faculty of Arts & Science. This project focuses on providing students with hands-on learning experiences directly related to their academic interests.

With a strong emphasis on learning competencies, the ELAS immerses students with enriched learning opportunities that focus on the development of professional skills resulting in confident, successful and highly employable graduates ready for the workforce.

The ELAS program provides support for Arts & Science students to participate in activities such as:

Conferences and speakers
Site visits and field trips
Work placements

When it comes to experiential learning at Nipissing University, you have lots of choices. Let us help you navigate your options, so you can find the best fit for your personal and professional goals, as well as your schedule.

Visit nipissingu.ca/academics/ELAS for more information.

Leadership and Community Engagement

If you are eager to get involved beyond the classroom, take part in the annual Undergraduate Research Conference, which gives you the opportunity to present your work to peers, professors, and family members. You may also have opportunity to work as a Research Assistant to help a professor conduct research and gain valuable experience at the same time.

Record of Student Development

Your experience at Nipissing University is more than just the time spent learning great things in lectures, labs, and seminars. It’s also about the activities you are involved in outside of the classroom, the causes you champion to make change on campus, the clubs you organize, the awards you receive, the workshops you participate in, the volunteering you do, and all the learning that occurs outside of the classroom.

The Record of Student Development (RSD) is Nipissing University's way of recognizing that learning is happening everywhere on campus. It is a formal record, otherwise known as a co-curricular transcript, where you can include workshops, volunteer experiences, awards, activities, and on campus employment experiences that you participate in throughout your degree.

Each RSD Approved activity in our database is linked to competency areas employers are looking for such as:

Critical Thinking
Leadership
Digital Literacy
Equity and Diversity
Emotional and Interpersonal Intelligence
& more!

To see the full list of competencies and get started building your Record of Student Development go to: rsd.nipissingu.ca

Nipissing University Student Union (NUSU)

Students attending Nipissing University in North Bay and long distance students are members of the Nipissing University Student Union. Our organization strives to represent students democratically, provide a communication framework, and lobby for legislative change on issues that affect students.

Athletics

Exercise and healthy competition always help to clear the mind.

INTRAMURAL SPORTS

Nipissing’s Athletics Department offers a wide range of intramural activities to keep you on your game

LAKERS CLUB SPORTS

Club sports are available to all Nipissing students and are both recreational and competitive.

VARSITY SPORTS

Go Lakers! Our varsity athletes always bring their “A” game. Get your friends together and come out to cheer on your favourite teams.

STUDENT ATHLETICS CENTRE

Whether you are a gym enthusiast or a weekend warrior, Nipissing has just what you need.

Chair

Dr. Sal Renshaw

Professor

Indigenous Studies

Extension
4427
Email
salr@nipissingu.ca
Website
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LinkRead more about Dr. Sal Renshaw

Program Representative

Dr. Nancy Stevens

Assistant Professor

Indigenous Studies

Extension
4580
Email
nancyst@nipissingu.ca
Website
—
LinkRead more about Dr. Nancy Stevens
Dr. Tyson Stewart

Assistant Professor

Indigenous Studies

Extension
4137
Email
tysons@nipissingu.ca
Website
—
LinkRead more about Dr. Tyson Stewart

It was thanks to the Native Studies Program at Nipissing University that I decided to return for my Bachelor of Education. Because of the small class sizes, the friendly professors, the safe learning environments, and the incredibly intriguing courses, I continued to take as many Native Studies Courses as I could. I surprised myself at the end of my degree when I discovered I had unintentionally taken enough Native Studies courses to count for a minor. These courses were incredibly valuable and have taught me incredible lessons that I will bring into my own teaching.

Emily Dalmer - Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) with a Minor in Indigenous Studies, 2015, BEd, 2017

With a strong base of transferrable skills in writing, research, and critical thinking, you will find that a Indigenous Studies degree gives you a wide variety of career options to choose from. In addition, your knowledge of Indigenous studies and well-developed cultural sensitivity will be highly valued by employers—especially in the government, arts, non-profit, human resources, and public relations sectors.

You may pursue careers in areas as diverse as policy development, politics, Indigenous organization, social work, consulting, journalism, social service-related work, and much more.

You may also continue your studies in Master and Doctorate-level programs, or professional schools like law or teaching. The growing demand for Indigenous curriculum in schools means that education and teaching is a great career option.

Career and Academic Options

Graduate Studies
Professional School (Education, Law, MBA)
Careers in community health, environmental management, fine arts, politics, social services, advocacy, and opportunities within corporate, non-profit and government sectors