BC's Indigenous Public Post-Secondary Institute

Building Indigenous Theory Micro-Credential

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Program Delivery Location: Merritt, Online, Community Based
Credential: Micro-credential
Format: Full-Time, Part-Time
Length: 16 weeks

Building Indigenous Theory Micro-Credential

In recent years, post-secondary institutes have been removing barriers to admissions by creating opportunities for flexibile entry by acknowledging the value of significant professional experience in a related discipline to pursue graduate level studies. Thus, the intent of this micro-credential is to create access for non-traditional students who do not meet entrance requirements with an undergraduate degree and a competitive GPA.

Rather, admissions take into consideration the applicant's professional and lived experiences. This micro-credential is designed to assist students and First Nations communities to building upon their academic foundation to achieve success in graduate studies.

At the core of this micro-credential is coursework included in NVIT's Indigenous Adult Instructor Diploma (IAID) program as is is designed to provide learners with the transferrable skills and knowledge to facilitate teaching and learning in an Indigenous adult learning environment. Course activities and tasks are intended to help participants envision and practice how to incorporate Indigenous worldviews, epistemologies, typologies, and learning approaches into adult education. Participants will develop their teaching and learning philosophy and practice, and strengthen their work with Indigenous leaners, families, communities, and nations. The program is grounded in the Four R's of First Nations and Higher Education (Respect, Relevancy, Responsibility, and Reciprocity) and are foundational principles for NVIT's Framework that build instructional and facilitation capacity for safe and inclusive Indigenous adult learning spaces.

Micro-Credentiaal Completion Plan

PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Mature Student Status: A letter of intent and a suitability interview will be required and letters of support from communities and/or employers are encouraged
English 12 or English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 or English 060

Learners will receive a micro-credential upon successful completion of the required courses within the program. A minimum 2.00 GPA for course work in the program is required to graduate.

EDUC-410 - Language and Cultural Identity in Indigenous Adult Education

EDUC-420 - Indigenous Adult Learning Epistemologies

EDUC-440 - Transformative Adult Learning

EDUC-460 - Storytelling for the Translation of Knowledge

ENGL-110 - English Composition

STSC-101 - Strategies for Success

Course Listing for this program

EDUC-410 - Credits: 3.000
Language and Cultural Identity in Indigenous Adult Education
This course focuses on developing foundational intercultural adult education competencies. Learners will have the opportunity to explore language and cultural identity in learning models, research and approaches to learning. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge and skills required to foster curriculum that promotes the co-creation of knowledge in inclusive Indigenous adult learning spaces. Learners will explore how one's positionality impacts their teaching praxis and consider how to address diverse individual and collective learning needs in Indigenous adult learning spaces. The importance of Indigenous standpoint theory, critical race theory and decolonization in Indigenous adult learning will be emphasized. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: ENGL-060 / English 12 or English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 or equivalent or permission of the instructor.

EDUC-420 - Credits: 3.000
Indigenous Adult Learning Epistemologies
This course introduces learners to Indigenous worldviews, epistemologies, typologies, and learning approaches in adult education. Learners will explore Indigenous adult learner characteristics and consider how historical, social, psychological and political contexts impact inclusive Indigenous adult learning spaces. Learners will also consider how to foster responsive teaching and learning strategies that enhance respect, relevancy, responsibility, and reciprocity. Diverse Indigenous teaching and learning theories and practices that strengthen inclusive Indigenous adult spaces will be explored. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: ENGL-060 / English 12 or English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 or equivalent or permission of the instructor.

EDUC-440 - Credits: 3.000
Transformative Adult Learning
This course examines theories of transformative education within the field of Indigenous adult education, particularly theories that aim to foster individual and social transformation. Transformative learning theories will be explored within the history of critical transformative education in various political, economic, geographical, social and cultural contexts. Learners will engage in respectful dialogue, active listening, and self-reflection and consider how to design lesson plans that promote critical thinking and a shared responsibility for the learning, growth and transformation of Indigenous learners, families, communities and nations. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: ENGL-060 / English 12 or English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 or equivalent or permission of the instructor.

EDUC-460 - Credits: 3.000
Storytelling for the Translation of Knowledge
This course introduces learners to Indigenous oral storytelling as a valid methodology and holistic way of teaching and learning with Indigenous peoples. Learners will consider how storytelling sustains cultural knowledge and practices for Indigenous nations and ensures the translation of knowledge. Oral storytelling and Indigenous wellness models will be explored to identify how Indigenous belief systems align with the four areas of development, including mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual realms. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: ENGL-060 / English 12 or English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 or equivalent or permission of the instructor.

ENGL-110 - Credits: 3.000
English Composition
English 110 prepares students to write successful college essays. This course focuses on the writing process. Students will learn how to develop, organize, write, revise, document, and edit essays. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: ENGL 060 / or English 12 or English Studies 12 and/or English First Peoples 12 or permission of instructor.

STSC-101 - Credits: 3.000
Strategies for Success
This course introduces students to higher learning and academic culture. Students will explore a variety of topics that will help them connect to resources that will aid in their student success, including test-taking strategies, note-taking, time management, research, student responsibilities and ethics, learning styles, and setting educational goals that will contribute to lifelong learning. In addition, students will connect with other academic supports like the Librarian and Student Success Centre and have access to Elders who will introduce learners to some Indigenous cultural traditions to help students maintain a healthy balance during their studies. More Details on this course