This was an excellent course and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The only criticism I have is that some of the questions were ambiguous and not pedagogically sound. I have worked with Aboriginal students for 40 years and found this course both informative and educational! I thought I knew a lot on this subject but this course one again proved that you are never too old to learn something new. Thank you so much for providing this course to the public! I think it is an extremely important step in changing the narrative, and helping to build momentum towards a better understanding of Canada's historical and present relationship with our Indigenous heritage, people and communities.

I am glad I took this class! It filled in and updated knowledge I already had from living on three reserves during my high school years, one in Montreal Lake, Saskatchewan, and Sunchild-O'Chiese and Morley, Alberta. When attending the U of A over 40 years ago, Canadian indigenous people were completely ignored in my education classes as if they were a marginal population, unworthy of consideration. It was refreshing to take a class about indigenous people FROM indigenous people! Unique information and concerns were shared in this course, especially regarding the arts and urban challenges. I recommend this course, and look forward to similar offerings from the U of A!

This course was incredibly informative. I especially liked the first few weeks with the history of colonization and the fur trade followed by the disruption of relationships after the War of 1812. This course will help many to understand the long history of abuses of indigenous Canadians and the trauma that colonization caused. Some of the quiz questions seemed rather irrelevant given the scope of the learning and there were numerous grammatical errors that made some questions difficult to answer. Overall, this should be content that is covered in Canadian curriculum from grades JK through to post-secondary to ensure an understanding of Indigenous challenges in Canada.

The course would have been more comprehensive and representative if it had included more information about the Indigenous peoples of Atlantic Canada. The course seemed to be unaware that the Indigenous people of Atlantic Canada are actually still active and have outstanding issues of their own regarding land claims, living conditions and the lingering effects of colonization. Also, in the unit about Indigenous Art, the lack of visuals relating to actual artworks undercut the effectiveness of the lectures. All in all, I would recommend the course, but there are issues about the lack of information about Indigenous Peoples in Atlantic Canada that need to be addressed.

This was hugely educational and enlightening. It was so wonderful to hear from such diverse members of the communities, artists, historians and educators. The speakers were very clear and articulate. The material was well-organized, interesting and presented at an appropriate level. It would have been nice to have seen more of the artworks and places that were discussed throughout (e.g. Expo 67 pavilion). There were a few glitches when the mid-video quiz questions popped up before the actual material was presented. Overall, though, it was excellently done. Thank you for making this available free of charge, which makes it accessible to so many more people.

Decent course. The information delivered was interesting, and I loved gaining a greater understanding for the Indigenous Worldview and how it relates to the Euro-centric worldview, and why it seems that there is such a disconnect between the two sides so often. This course bridged that gap for me. One star removed because I feel that some of the quiz questions were a bit more abstract wth multiple answers that could apply, so I found myself guessing sometimes. And I was surprised to find typos/grammar issues in the course (inconsistent spelling of Indigenous names, subtitles have an incorrect word here and there, etc...). Overall, it's still a recommend from me.

Thanks to everybody who worked so very hard to collect and share so many stories which tell an accurate account of Indigenous Peoples history and struggles with colonization after arrival of settlers. I am truly humbled being able to better understand the lives, cultures and world views of Indigenous Peoples in North America. I know that some folks commented on the "English" used. It seems like some of the subtitles still don't match the correct narrative that the faculty used in telling us important stories and facts. But, it did not distract me at all. Thank you again for all the research and especially engaging so many in telling their stories and accounts.

I would have liked to see more updated information- the course spoke of issues and problems but not what came of these issues and problems - What happened to the Lubicon Cree lands? Was the protest successful? If one of the goals of this course is to build on knowledge as well as celebrate the accomplishments of the Indigenous people of Canada, the information should be informative, up to date and full. I am overwhelmed at the misinformation that I see and hear on social media and in mainstream media. This course could do a lot to open the eyes and minds of people across the country. We know nothing until we admit we need to learn. Thank you for teaching me.

I thought the course was extremely interesting and mind boggling at times. It opened my eyes as to how badly we have treated Indigenous people from the first time Europeans arrived in Canada and ongoing to the present day.

I liked the way it was set up in modules with the quiz at the end of each module.

There were some spelling mistakes which I think should be corrected as it doesn’t make the course look as professional as it should. I felt like correcting them myself! I know it is only a small thing but I think it is important. Thank you, I would like to read all the information again as it is so much and difficult to retain after going through it once.

Instructors were good and the content interesting. It is very interesting to hear the stories and to learn more of the history of Canada from Indigenous perspectives. As a Metis that knows little of my cultural background, I appreciated this opportunity. I would have appreciated more emphasis on the path forward and how Indigenous culture can become a more positive aspect of Canada's future. Significant attention was paid to some of the ways that new technologies are being used to get Indigenous perspectives out and I can't help but have optimism that this will allow traditions to more widely be shared and reflected within this great country.

History is what got us to where we are today ... and this course definitely broadening my knowledge and understanding - more so than other courses I've taken. I emigrated to Canada and studied to become a Canadian citizen. I also took high school history courses to be able to help my children with their homework. I learned more in this course than any of the others I've taken. I found it to be thought provoking and caused me to question my assumptions and stereotypes. I would definitely recommend it as a good starting place to learn more about Indigenous Canada. Thank you to the faculty and staff for making it available via MOOC.

This course is definitely an introductory course that occasionally over-simplifies. However, it does offer an excellent alternate perspective to events taught to me in public school from Kindergarten to University. The events, characters and times are easily recognizable, it is the different perspective that makes this course fascinating. The lessons on Gender and Art were particularly interesting to me. I would take a course on Lesson 12 alone. Perhaps that could be the next University of Alberta Coursera offering?! All the visual materials also made this course engaging. Thank you for taking the time to prepare this course.

This course provides a critical overview of Canada's history. Everyone in Canada should complete this course and I firmly believe that all settlers have a responsibility to learn about the impact of colonialism on Indigenous peoples - past and present. My only piece of constructive feedback is about making the course more engaging. I would have loved to see even more interviews and other more engaging ways of presenting information, as at times, the delivery felt a bit dry. Especially in the last section about Indigenous Art, I would have really benefitted from seeing more images of the art as it was being discussed. Thank you!

the course very clearly showed the connections between the past and present as well as stating the ways indigenous people experience todays white focused culture. However it is also very strongly seems that indigenous men are not seen as bein connected to the earth, the over all belief seems to be only women are connected with the earth. I was also discouraged by the use of the term patriarchy. I believe any society headed by an individual based upon gender is wrong. Throughout the course it appears that patriarchy is bad and matriarchy is good. Power based upon gender js as ill conceived a concept as power based on race.

This course gave me a new perspective on and appreciation for Indigenous people in Canada. The information was presented from an Indigenous point of view, and, while it made the content somewhat one-sided, it introduced me to a way of thinking about these topics that I hadn't been exposed to in grade school. I think it's important for all Canadians to be able to view our past and present from an Indigenous perspective, and taking this course is one way to do that. I knocked off a star because the course was not as engaging as I had hoped (I started to get bored a few modules in) and the quiz questions were not well-worded.

I found the course very interesting and thought-provoking. Why didn't we learn this stuff in school?! I particularly found the topics of residential schools and gender interesting and will be learning more about the Indigenous POV on these in the future. I also loved that it ended with a module on Indigenous art and artists. I did not know of Christie Belcourt and Rebecca Belmore before this and my curiosity to seek out more about them is piqued. I appreciated that there weren't papers to write. Thank you very much! Will look forward to any tangential courses from the Native Studies dept. from the U of A in the future!

This introductory course had three main presenters who were great at telling the stories. I liked Dr. Tracy Bear the most as her style and tone was very conducive to my learning. This course is heavily geared toward watching videos and clips of others talking about specific items. There is also an art and artist component. It is not difficult to follow and read the notes. I would like more reference to maps and locations of some of the native groups as there were only generalities and green dots on a map of Canada. I have learned and relearned much by taking this convenient online course.

Ted Fuller M.Sc. P.Eng. P.Geo.

Overall an interesting course that provides a good overview of the history of Indigenous North American peoples and many of the issues that have affected them and continue to affect them, their culture, their livelihoods and their future. There were some technical issues with the presentation of the course (including when those pop-up questions appeared in modules) some of the formatting, and the 12th module needs a redo as no links are provided to access the artists that they refer to and subsequently ask questions about. I definitely learned something in every module despite being familiar with a lot of the content.

I enjoyed this course. There is a lot of material presented clearly and in a way that draws the viewer in to the story. Some of the quiz questions were challenging as they don't always readily connect to the material presented at first glance. Being able to reread and review the material as many times as I wanted was helpful and reinforcing. The three host speakers were easy to listen to and the paintings were a great way to visually connect with the materials presented. The only criticism would be that some of the written text was less than accurate to the spoken presentations and distracted from the materials.

Very interesting, and horrifyingly eye-opening. A new sense of our country's identity comes into light. The insights into the culture and history taught through the scope this course helps us as Canadians -- first generation, first person, fifth-generation Torontonian -- to understand the nature of our Country; what holds us together, keeps us apart, and why we fall into this cyclical blind pattern of poor social governance.

This course helps us all to find a definition of home: Canada as a country of many nation -- and puts Margaret Atwood's "Survival" into challenge about our true identity as many, but one, people.

I started this course to understand the native plight and why they are so angry with our government and white society. I have come to realize why. How do we go forward TOGETHER while respecting each other? Blaming has not solved the problems as we seem to be stuck in the same rut. I found the instructors very informative.I would have given 5 stars but at times I felt the anger and resentment coming through on some lectures with some smirks. I still have many questions such as why two nations? Are we not all Canadians? The course has made me want to learn more to understand better.

A 70 year old white person!

Thank you for this course. I am urban indigenous of Mississauga Ojibwa but have little background information on my history of Indigeneity as my grandmother was a graduate of residential schooling and would not teach her children about her people. This program offered a beginning of developing an understanding of my own identity. I do wish there was more information on the indigenous people of eastern Canada - specifically Ojibwa in this course but perhaps there are more specific courses I can take. but overall I found this course both informative and insightful. I am looking forward to continued learning.

Very good overview of a huge and complex subject. While I wouldn't call it a comprehensive history lesson, it definitely includes a lot of major historical events. Mainly it is a deep examination of worldview, with a lot of cultural ideas and I found the many examples of political struggles, activists and legal battles to be enormously helpful in understanding where we are today and what groundwork has already been laid down. It is a good introduction and made me want to keep reading more and learning about what Indigenous people are doing in this generation to heal to make Canada and the planet a better place.

I enjoyed the course content and believe I learned a good deal about the experience of Indigenous people since first contact with white settlers. The only concern I would raise is that the "talking presentation" is sometimes overwhelming. I think it would be helpful to include more visuals as examples of what is being discussed as the presenter speaks, this is especially true in some of the lessons that are complex and full of detail. Overall this was a positive experience for me and I would recommend it to friends as a way to begin to learn about the experiences of Indigenous people as a colonized community.

Thank you for an insightful and engaging course on Indigenous Canada. It has given me some understanding into the role of world views, the importance of interdependence and relationships which conveys a more horizontal rather than vertical orientation of engaging with others and our environment. This appears to be very different from our “western” perspective and I wander how one works to maintain this perspective in the daily life. Thank you for also sharing the viewpoint of Indigenous women in terms of expanding their role in governance, leadership and expanding role in family life and in the community.