During this 12 week, semester long course, we will explore Indigenous populations around the world and the historical and present day treatment of these populations by the governments who are in control of the land they live on.  During the first two weeks we will understand the specific terms, definitions and characteristics used by modern intra national organizations and the global community to identify what it means to be an Indigenous population as well as the international law and the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous peoples which lays out the legal framework of rights provided to these populations.  

The following two weeks will explore some of the most pressing issues which Indigenous communities face today - including land rights, the rights of Indigenous women and children, the right to self-determination, cultural preservation, and environmental degradation - learning about the challenges communities have faced and the possible solutions posed.  

In the following 7 weeks of class, each week will involve an in-depth case study into a country's Indigenous peoples, their history, the treatment of the people by the national government and potential paths forward.  Along the way we will compare and contrast with other case studies in order to collect a bigger picture of the similar and different challenges which Indigenous populations face around the world.  

The case studies will include:
* Canada's First Nations People
* New Zealand's Maori People
* United State's Native American populations
* Scandinavian region's Sami People
* East Africa's Maasai and Sengwer populations
*The Indigenous Tribes of the Amazon region
* The Aboriginal Groups of India

Finally the last week of class will be reserved for student presentations of their final project.  

There will be readings and homework each week to prepare for the week ahead.  Time in class will include interactive learning and discussions in order to analyze and critically assess the information absorbed during the week.