Faculty of Arts & ScienceNative American Studies

Are you devoted to Native culture? Do you love hearing stories about our rich and diverse Aboriginal heritage? Are you interested in learning to help resolve some of the issues our First Nations’ communities face today?

ulethbridge.ca/future-student

What do you love?

Native American Studies at uLethbridge

• Advising the Assembly of First Nations Leaders and Indegenous & Northern Affairs Canada

• Awards & Grants from the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards/Foundation

• Canada Council - Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council

• Indian Association of Alberta• Banff Centre for the Arts• The University of Calgary• Athabasca University

Native American Studies (NAS) explores art, law, philosophy, health, politics, history, gender studies, ecology, business, customs and language — all from a unique Native perspective — making this one of the most sought-after programs of its kind in Canada.

In this program, you’ll have the opportunity to investigate First Nations’, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) history, heritage and culture, as well as the contemporary issues that face FNMI communities.

As a student of NAS, you’ll have access to Native American and First Nations’ instructors, who are often nationally or internationally renowned, seasoned professionals with real-world experience.

Native American Student Association (NASA). NAS students have an active presence on campus through the NASA, which sponsors an annual Native Awareness Week and various other community events.

Native Awareness Week. This annual, week-long event consists of a series of free lectures, workshops and the celebration of Native culture. The week concludes with a spectacular Pow-Wow, involving Native singers and dancers from across North America. Native Awareness Week usually takes place in the spring semester.

Native American Studies Degrees. The Department of Native American Studies offers a major in Native American Studies for the 40-course Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) degree programs. Alternatively, you can choose to do a General Major in the Humanities or Social Sciences and select NAS as one of your three streams. You can also opt for NAS as your BA major for the Combined BA/BEd or BA/BMgt programs.

The Department of Native American Studies also participates in the delivery of Canadian Studies, focusing on developing a deeper appreciation of our Canadian identity and issues across a wide range of disciplines.

Native American Studies Courses. In the program, you will have the opportunity to take courses like:

Minors. Adding a minor to your degree is a great way to explore academic interests beyond your major. A minor is a set of courses comprising a secondary focus of interest. It is generally not related to your major. A minor may be required or optional. Minors are not available in all programs.Learn more at ulethbridge.ca/artsci/minors.

Honours Thesis. If your GPA is high enough in your fourth year, you can opt to complete an Undergraduate Thesis course. This is an excellent opportunity for you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree.

Our Faculty & Their ResearchFaculty members at the University of Lethbridge are happy to involve under-graduate students in their research projects, using state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. Our faculty members often collaborate with other departments, community members and employers on research projects — giving you the opportunity to get additional hands-on experience.

Current Research & Areas of Interest:

NAS in the CommunityThe Department of Native American Studies was set up as a joint venture by representatives of Southern Alberta’s Native communities and uLethbridge. Its aim is to provide students and the surrounding community with an educated awareness and appreciation of cultural differences.

Locally, the department is heavily involved in projects with the Fort Whoop-Up Interpretive Centre, Sir Alexander Galt Museum and Archives, Southern Alberta Art Gallery, Bowman Arts Centre, the University of Lethbridge Art Galleries and the Lethbridge Folk Club. The department also supports annual Pow-Wows at the Enmax Centre and Lethbridge Exhibition Park and Pavilion.

The department actively promotes these values at provincial and national levels, through organizations and activities like:

• Native American Art • Native Self-government • Aboriginal Rights • Native Treaties • Native Law • Native Health

• Native Women • Traditional Knowledge (inc

medicine & ecology) • Native Philosophy• Land Struggles • Sustainable Land Development

• Native American Art Studio• The Métis• Native American Literature• Canadian Native History• Native American Philosophy• Aboriginal Peoples & Law• Native American Women• Native American Health• Cross-Cultural Psychology

• First Nations Governance• Language courses in Blackfoot

& Cree • Family & First Nations

Community Development • North American Native Art

History & Theory • Traditional Aboriginal Political

Economy

Get an education with impact in Native American Studies.

• Fine Arts• Politics• Administration• Native Outreach Work• International Affairs• Art History• Economics• Film• Human Rights Work• Social Work• Native Issues Lobbying• Governmental Diplomacy• Historic Site Administration• Public Relations• Art Appraisal

• Demography• Preservation Planning• Civil Service• Environmental History• Historical Documentation • Historical Film Production• Historic Foundation

Administration• Genealogy• Museum Curation • Local Government• Archaeology• Historical Research • Creative Writing

Your Future ProspectsSkills Acquired. In addition to developing exceptional written and oral communication skills in the program, you will also develop your critical and analytical thinking skills, your information acquisition and management skills, as well as your attention to detail. All of these abilities are highly sought after and can be applied to practically any working scenario.

Related Fields. There are numerous interesting career options open to NAS graduates, like:

Graduate Studies. The University of Lethbridge’s School of Graduate Studies offers graduate programs, at the Master and Doctoral levels, spanning over 60 disciplines — so why not consider pursuing grad school right here in Lethbridge! Whether you choose to do your advanced studies at uLethbridge or another institution, know that your undergraduate degree has set you on the path to post-graduate success.

Professional Disciplines. Your undergraduate degree in Native American Studies also provides an excellent foundation for law, management, journalism and education.

Learn more about Native American Studies, visit:

ulethbridge.ca/nas

“Be prepared for change — whether it be what to study, your world view or the choice of career you want to pursue — going to university is an experience that will most likely change your life. It changed mine.” - Maria, BA ‘15

University of Lethbridge4401 University DriveLethbridge, AB T1K 3M4 403 329 2635nas@uleth.caulethbridge.ca/nas

Academic AdvisingSU060Students’ Union Building403 329 5106artsci.advising@uleth.caulethbridge.ca/artsci/advising

*This brochure should be used in conjunction with the University of Lethbridge calendar, which is the final authority regarding program requirements and academic regulations.

Applied StudiesApplied Studies is special opportunity offered to all uLethbridge students as a way to earn course credit for career-related paid, volunteer or community service work experience. This program is specially designed to allow you to integrate principles learned in the classroom in a practical work setting.

For more information on Applied Studies, visit:ulethbridge.ca/appliedstudies

Co-op Education & InternshipsThe Faculty of Arts & Science is proud to offer you the chance to participate in our Co-op program — the only one of its kind in Alberta to offer co-op to all majors in arts and science. Co-op allows you to gain work experience directly related to your studies and make invaluable contacts in the workforce, all while earning a competitive salary. Completion of the program allows you to receive a Co-op Designation on your degree and, most importantly, a kick-start to your career the minute you graduate.

For more information on Co-operative Education & Internships, visit: ulethbridge.ca/coop/artsci

Research & Independent StudiesIn addition to your regular courses, you have the opportunity to participate in Independent Studies. You’re able to contribute to departmental activities by volunteering on research projects or through employment as a research assistant.

If your GPA is high enough, you can also enrol in undergraduate thesis-based courses where research is a component of your studies. There are field school opportunities available in some disciplines, as well as many opportunities to study abroad.

For current research or independent studies opportunities, contact the department directly.

Put Your Knowledge to WorkWhether you’re looking for a more in-depth learning experience by assisting with research projects or by testing your knowledge in a real-life setting, we can help. Combined with your required coursework, the programs outlined below will provide you with a solid foundation for further studies and an excellent framework for a challenging and rewarding career — whatever direction you decide to go.

Academic AdvisingYour decision to explore a university education is the first step toward a great future — now let us help you navigate your degree options at uLethbridge and set you on the road to success. Do you have questions about what field of study best suits you or need help with program and registration planning and just can’t find the answers? If so, you should speak to an Academic Advisor today — advisors have the answers to these questions and many more.

To learn more about the support services available to you through our Academic Advisors, visit: ulethbridge.ca/artsci/advising