Indigenous Studies
Discussion Thread
McMaster's Indigenous Studies Program was established in 1991, prior to this a group of Aboriginal students formed the first McMaster First Nations Student Association (MFNSA) in 1989. The main purpose of this group was to establish peer and support for Native students who are attending university, to bring awareness of Aboriginal issues at the university level and to encourage Native students in secondary school to continue on with higher education. Since 1989, enrollment has increased dramatically. The program has approximately 100 to 150 Native students attending McMaster. In addition to this core group of students, we have approximately 150 to 200 non-Native students who are interested in taking Indigenous Studies from a Native perspective.
This way of learning is very unique because we incorporate the knowledge of many Aboriginal people and Elders. For so long the history and lives of Aboriginal people have been misrepresented in all aspects, the staff and people who work within the Indigenous Studies Program are dedicated to the success of students.
