Program details
The Department of Indigenous Studies offers programs of study leading to a Master of Arts in Indigenous Studies.
Expected duration: 2 years
The MA program offers a Thesis route consisting of a combination of coursework and a thesis component, and a Major Research Paper (MRP) route, consisting of additional coursework and a major paper.
Tuition and fees: Program fees are assessed in the first two terms of study, followed by a continuing fee in the third and any subsequent terms. (refer to Graduate tuition and fees)
Thesis route:
In addition to the minimum course requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section, students must complete:
- 18 credit hours of coursework, including:
- 12 credit hours of required courses
- 6 credit hours of additional coursework at the 4000 level or above
- Preparation and successful defense of the thesis
Major research paper route:
In addition to the minimum course requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section, students must complete:
- 21 credit hours of coursework, including:
- 12 credit hours of required courses
- 9 credit hours of additional coursework at the 4000 level or above
- Successful submission of a major research paper
Areas of specialization include Métis studies, cultural-specific Indigenous areas, Indigenous economies and political organizations, Indigenous languages, Indigenous aesthetics and Northern Indigenous issues.
More about specializations
Métis studies – with three Métis scholars in the department, several students have focused on historic and contemporary Métis issues, literatures, art and politics. No other university program in Canada provides this breadth or level of support for work in these areas.
Cultural-specific Indigenous areas – Six scholars in our department offer examinations and explorations in various aspects of Inuit studies, Cree studies and Ojibway studies.
Indigenous economies and political organizations – with two scholars focusing specifically on Indigenous businesses and political organizations in their research areas, this remains one of the strengths of our department, particularly in focusing on developing contemporary models of community resistance and resilience based on Indigenous principles of economic and political livelihood. This also includes traditional and contemporary forms of Indigenous politics and economics, the application of colonial law and politics in the history of Indigenous communities, and Indigenous resistance and political movements throughout time.
Indigenous Languages – including regular courses in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut. While the department does not have a full-time language professor, a departmental commitment has been made to offer Indigenous languages every year.
Indigenous aesthetics – three scholars in the department focus on Indigenous creative and critical expressions found in literature, art, film, beadwork and performance art.
Northern Indigenous issues – our department has created innovative opportunities for work in remote northern communities, with two scholars who have studied various aspects of culture, politics, entrepreneurship and history in a northern context.
Graduate advisors
Visit our student resources section for more information on finding a graduate advisor and the diversity of our research interests.
Sample course offerings
- INDG 7230: Methodology and Research Issues in Indigenous Studies (3 credit hours)
- INDG 7240: Issues in Colonization (3 credit hours)
- INDG 7250: Culture: Theory and Praxis (3 credit hours)
- INDG 7280: Indigenous Studies Colloquia (1 credit hour)
- INDG 7220: Selected Topics in Indigenous Studies (3 credit hours)
- INDG 7290: Seminar in Aboriginal Economy (3 credit hours)
- INDG 7310: Critical Theory and Indigenous Studies (3 credit hours)
- INDG 7320: Trauma Theory in Indigenous Writing in Canada and Australia (3 credit hours)
- INDG 7330: Advanced Seminar in Indigenous Research (3 credit hours)
For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar.
Admission requirements
The following are minimum requirements to be considered for entry into the program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
Admission decisions are based on the qualifications of the applicant as well as the ability of the Department of Indigenous Studies and the University of Manitoba to serve the applicant’s intended program of study and area of specialization.
In addition to the admission requirements described here, all applicants must meet the minimum admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
To be considered for admission to the Indigenous Studies (MA) program, you must have a four-year degree with a major in Indigenous Studies (formerly Native studies) or equivalent.
Students who have a 4-year degree in a discipline other than Indigenous Studies, with some combination of courses in any discipline where a minimum of 50% of the content is dedicated to Indigenous issues, major research papers on Indigenous topics, Honours/advanced research papers on Indigenous issues, and language courses or proficiency.
Students who do not meet this equivalency will be required to take additional courses to meet the requirement for 30 credit hours of Indigenous studies courses.
How to apply
The Indigenous Studies (MA) program accepts applications for Fall entry only. Applications must be completed online and include several parts:
- Application fee (non-refundable)
- Unofficial copies of transcripts and degree certificates
- Statement of intent (three pages)
- Supervisor support
- Two academic letters of recommendation (must be requested from within the application)
- Proof of English language proficiency, if required
Please read the Faculty of Graduate Studies online application instructions before beginning your application.
MA Statement of Intent
Complete a brief (750 words) three-page statement of intention and one page bibliography for your thesis research. Reviewers will stop reading after 3 pages of text (not including the bibliography). Your objective is to demonstrate that your research topic is important and doable based on a short literature review. The Graduate Program Admissions Committee is particularly interested in discerning your writing ability and capacity to use reference materials, so please ensure that your proposal does include references.
Statement of Intent - Clearly and succinctly, state:
- The proposed research topic and the overall purpose of your research. Indicate how your research will make a significant contribution to knowledge in Indigenous Studies and where and how it builds on existing knowledge within the discipline (i.e., the relevant literature).
- How you will engage in the study. Include a brief statement of the theoretical and methodological presuppositions that provide the foundations for your research. Indicate any community involvement or support for your research proposal.
- Academic sources that have inspired your project.
Learn more
Contact us
Admission and application inquiries
Faculty of Graduate Studies
Room 500 UMSU University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada
graduate.admissions@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-9377
Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Program inquiries
Department of Indigenous Studies, Faculty of Arts
Room 215 Isbister Building
183 Dafoe Road
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2
indigenous.studies@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-9266
Fax: 204-474-7657