Fleming College's Aboriginal Emphasis is a unique and rewarding learning opportunity.
The Aboriginal Emphasis Initiative is an inclusive approach to providing more understanding of Aboriginal peoples, communities and nations. This initiative provides students with an opportunity to take courses that are designed from an Aboriginal perspective. You will learn the mainstream requirements for your program of choice, and in addition, will gain a more in-depth understanding of Aboriginal populations. Course materials are geared towards program specific learning outcomes with emphasis on Aboriginal peoples, history, spirituality and culture. Students in the following programs can participate in this Aboriginal Emphasis Initiative:
- Community and Justice Services
- Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
- Early Childhood Education
- Ecosystem Management Technician
- Educational Assistant
- Police Foundations
- Social Service Worker
How can I get involved in the Aboriginal Emphasis?
Students who have been accepted to the college in the programs noted above can take part in the Aboriginal Emphasis. Each program provides the Aboriginal Emphasis in a slightly different format. See below for details on the Aboriginal Emphasis courses available and format for each program.
What are the benefits of Aboriginal Emphasis?
When you successfully complete the Aboriginal Emphasis, you will have gained a deeper awareness and understanding of Native culture and tradition. You will acquire knowledge of both historic and contemporary issues facing Native people and be able to apply this awareness, understanding and knowledge in your workplace, school, social circles and everyday life.
Embracing Learning for Our Futures – Aboriginal Emphasis courses available
Community and Justice Services
- Semester 1: Aboriginal Justice
- Semester 2: Interviewing and Counselling Techniques
- Semester 3: Field Placement
- Semester 4: Group Work Dynamics
All Community and Justice Services students take this course.
Drug and Alcohol Counselor
- Semester 1: Aboriginal History and Culture
- Semester 2: Group and Leadership Development
- Semester 3: Community Development
- Semester 4: Community Field Work
All students in the Drug and Alcohol Counsellor program take the Aboriginal History and Culture course in semester one. To continue taking Aboriginal Emphasis courses, students apply/select subsequent courses at the end of semester one. Students from each of these programs will participate in the Aboriginal Emphasis together.
Early Childhood Education Sutherland Campus, Peterborough only
- Semester 1: Aboriginal History and Culture *
- Semester 2: Social Psychology *
- Semester 3: Community Development *
- Semester 4: Field Placement
* Students in the Early Childhood Education program choose these course as their General Education elective.
Ecosystem Management Technician
- Semester 1: Students are exposed to an Aboriginal-based case study in the Environmental Leadership course; in addition the Ecology and Environment course has a lecture dedicated to first peoples
- Semester 2: Aboriginal History and Culture
- Semester 3: Aquatic Ecosystems, Restoration Ecology and Terrestrial Ecosystems courses contain Aboriginal ways of learning and traditional knowledge. All students will be exposed to this approach, because the program deems this to be important to students' careers if they pursue environmental work
- Semester 4: Field Placement in an Aboriginal Community
Educational Assistant
- Semester 1: Aboriginal History and Culture *
- Semester 2: Social Psychology
- Semester 3: Field Placement
* Students in the Educational Assistant program choose this course as their General Education elective.
Police Foundations
- Semester 1: Aboriginal Justice
- Semester 2: Community Policing
- Semester 3: Interpersonal/Group Dynamics
- Semester 4: Youth in Conflict with the Law
To participate in the Aboriginal Emphasis, Police Foundations students apply/select subsequent courses at the end of semester one. These courses will be offered provided that there are sufficient applicants.
Social Service Worker
- Semester 1: Aboriginal History and Culture
- Semester 2: Social Justice and Diversity
- Semester 3: Community Organizing
- Semester 4: Community Field Work
All students in the Social Service Worker program take the Aboriginal History and Culture course in semester one. To take the Aboriginal Emphasis, students apply at the end of semester one for continuation; subsequent courses include an emphasis on Aboriginal projects and study.
Revised: November 1, 2011