This upper-level undergraduate course privileges an Indigenous studies methodology of place-based experiential learning on the land and along the waterways, in combination with more traditional historical and literary methodologies, like archival research and textual analysis. Rather than relying exclusively on classroom learning and traditional pedagogical methods, this course seeks to examine more closely Indigenous histories and historical geographies by working in collaboration with local archives, museums, art galleries, and historical sites. This course is interdisciplinary drawing upon methodologies from Indigenous studies, ethnohistory, geography, environmental history, literary studies, and material culture studies. By bringing these methodologies together, this course seeks to bring a fresh and unique perspective to the Great Lakes basin. The course explores Anishinaabe history, natural and built landscapes, settler colonialism, treaty history, the Indian Act, the colonial legacies of Canada and the United States, and habits of commemoration in eastern Ontario. The course culminates with a major research project presentation shared with community members and local archives/museum organizations.
Non-History students may also be eligible to enroll in this course based on special permission and availability. If you are not a History student but wish to take this seminar, please contact hist.undergrad@queensu.ca.
