Native Studies Master's Program

The Master of Arts Program in Native Studies is a natural extension of the undergraduate program, however, students with undergraduate majors other than Native Studies will also be considered for admission if they have strong Native Studies-related backgrounds.  Students with education backgrounds outside Native Studies who wish to enroll in the M.A. program are encouraged to speak with our Graduate Program Assistant for admission requirements.

Our M.A. program offers opportunities for specialization in First Nations, Inuit and Métis histories, cultures, social and theoretical issues. Areas of study include, but are not limited to: Aboriginal land, resource and constitutional rights; governance; politics; economic and ecological development; urbanization; identity; contemporary Aboriginal literatures; languages; gender; justice issues; post-colonial historiography and criticism. The graduate program reflects Aboriginal perspectives in teaching and research.

The emphasis of the M.A. Program is on research and therefore a thesis is a degree requirement.  In addition to the thesis, M.A. students must also complete a minimum of 18 credit hours of course work at the graduate level, of which 12 credit hours are mandatory and are listed below:

NATV 7230 Methodology and Research Issues in Native Studies: A review of research methods, such as oral histories, and research issues, such as ethics and intellectual property rights, within the context of Native Studies.

NATV 7240 Issues in Colonization: An examination of the factors influencing colonization, assimilation and indigenization. Explores the colonization and decolonization processes, theories of colonization and ways of promoting indigenization without assimilation.

NATV 7250 Culture, Theory and Praxis: A study of selected material in Métis, First Nations, or Inuit studies, designed to meet the special needs of the graduate student interested in exploring interdisciplinary perspectives in Native Studies.

NATV 7280 Native Studies Colloquia: Theoretical, methodological, ethical and contextual issues in Native Studies are explored from the perspectives of formally and informally trained experts using colloquia format. Students are required to attend regularly and one presentation is required each time this course is taken. This course is taken more than once to fulfill program requirements.

Of the 18 credit hours required to meet degree requirements, 6 credit hours are elective. The Department of Native Studies has several other courses to choose from, including a new course that will be introduced in the Winter term called:

NATV 7220 Advanced Seminar in Native Studies: A critical examination of issues in selected areas of Native Studies designed to meet the special needs of graduate students interested in exploring interdisciplinary perspectives in Native Studies.

 For a full list of the courses that the Department of Native Studies offers at the graduate level, click HERE.  Students should also be advised that graduate level courses from other departments are acceptable as their electives, upon approval from the Department Head.

The graduate program  Students with an undergraduate degree from a wide range of disciplines, such as Arts, Education, Native Studies, Environmental Sciences, Management, Medicine, Nursing, Science, Social Work, and Women's Studies

Admission Requirements:

Admission requirements for enrollment into the M.A. Program have recently been revised and are still currently being reviewed by the Faculty of Grad Studies.              
 
Application process:

Students can apply for admission in September or January.

Application deadlines are:

- May 15 for September admission
- October 1 for January admission - January 15 if you are applying for funding

The following documents are required as part of the application process.

1.  Native Studies Graduate Program application form

2.  Faculty of Graduate Studies application

3.  Two letters of reference.

4. Statement of Support from a faculty member willing to serve as the advisor.

Further information is available from:
       Mrs. Shirley McFaren
       Graduate Program Assistant
       Department of Native Studies
       Room 204E Isbister Building
       University of Manitoba
       Winnipeg, MB, R3T 5V5
        phone 204-474-9899        
        fax      204-474-7657
        mcfaren@cc.umanitoba.ca