Indigenous-Focused Courses, Cohorts and Programs
Wüléelham is a Lenape word that means "make good tracks"
Rooted in Indigenous knowledge and pedagogies, the Wüléelham courses, cohorts and programs engage participants in learning from Indigenous peoples’ experiences and perspectives.
Wüléelham options were developed to highlight the specific strengths of urban Indigenous communities. They are not intended to be taken in a linear sequence; instead, students make their own tracks, choosing to participate based on their timelines and interests. Our ultimate goal is to provide students with the knowledge and understanding to contribute to community well-being through their chosen career paths.
Developed in collaboration with Indigenous scholars and communities, Wüléelham prepares students for a wide variety of careers including, teaching, journalism, public administration, law enforcement, court work, policy work, or research on Indigenous experiences.
Bachelor of Education
Waaban - Indigenous Teacher Education
The Faculty, in collaboration with the Toronto District School Board Indigenous Education Centre, offers admission to a special cohort of students who complete the Bachelor of Education degree with a focus on Indigenous worldviews. Waaban will educate a new generation of teachers, preparing them to address the needs of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, families and communities.
Students will have the opportunity to:
- Study in a program grounded in Indigenous knowledge and pedagogies
- Experience a holistic program of teaching and learning that acknowledges the
impacts of colonialism - Learn about contemporary urban, rural and reserve perspectives, and teachings from a diversity of nations
- Learn from and with Indigenous elders, educators, and contemporary community leaders
- Draw on the wisdom of ancestral teachings and contemporary leaders to put Indigenous futures into Indigenous hands
Combined Credit Course
Indigenous People, Identity and Education
Open to high school students at the Toronto District School Board, the purpose of this course is to establish positive relationships between self-identified Indigenous students and the university. The course is offered during the secondary school winter semester.
Students will have the opportunity to:
- Explore Indigenous perspectives and develop an understanding of what it means to be Indigenous and what it means to be Canadian
- Meet and learn together in an environment focused on urban Indigenous youth and their issues
- Investigate and develop responses to questions of identity and Indigeneity
- Learn from Indigenous authors, filmmakers, and artists telling their own stories
- Read books, watch films, and listen to each other’s stories
Master of Education (MEd) - Urban Indigenous Education Cohort
The Graduate Program in Language, Culture and Teaching offers a cohort-based Master of Education. This part-time cohort will be of particular interest to educators, service providers, artists, and others working with Indigenous people and addressing Indigenous issues in urban contexts.
Students will have the opportunity to:
- Take courses centred in Indigenous content, drawing on key historical texts and the growing body of Indigenous scholarships, such as Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Decolonizing Research Methodologies
- Learn about Indigenous peoples’ experiences and perspectives, advancing understanding of Indigenous epistemologies, pedagogies, and urban indigeneity
- Learn about the history of colonialism in Canada and its impact on education in Ontario schools
- Learn through the work of Indigenous scholars contributing to resurgence and new emergence in Indigenous thought
- Complete independent work, as well as plan and carry out small-group experiential learning projects
Note: Cohorts may not be admitted each year
Interested in learning more about the Faculty’s Indigenous-focused studies?
For further information, contact:
Bachelor of Education and Combined Credit Course
osp@edu.yorku.ca
Master and PhD Cohorts
gradprogram@edu.yorku.ca
