Indigenous Programs - Indigenous Portal

Acknowledging Canada’s history of colonization of Indigenous peoples, and recognizing that planning has been a part of that process, SCARP’s concentration in Indigenous Planning seeks to empower Indigenous communities and community planners with the skills, capacity and knowledge to achieve their own aspirations for sustainable social and economic development. This is consistent with SCARP’s broader mission of working for sustainability planning through democratization.

Indigenous Community Planning Specialization site

Faculty of Arts

First Nations and Indigenous Studies Program

The First Nations and Indigenous Studies Program is interdisciplinary, drawing on the strengths of scholars across the university, and organized around a strong and innovative core. The core curriculum of the program is dedicated to defining strategic approaches to theoretical and practical problems, and is anchored by a fourth year community-based research practicum.

First Nations and Indigenous Studies Program site

First Nations and Endangered Languages Program

In recognition of the profound importance of First Nations languages and the cultural traditions they represent, FNEL offers courses in various Indigenous languages, develops educational materials, and conducts research on BC’s endangered languages. Students can pursue a Major or Minor in FNEL. The program operates in collaboration with First Nations communities and cultural institutions.

First Nations and Endangered Languages Program site

First Nations Curriculum Concentration

The UBC iSchool (Library, Archival and Information Studies) offers the First Nations Curriculum Concentration (FNCC), which is designed to prepare information professionals to work effectively with Indigenous communities in support of ongoing developments in Indigenous culture and languages, self-government, treaty negotiation and litigation. During their program of study, iSchool students enrolled in the FNCC develop a strong foundation in their chosen program (MAS, MLIS, or Dual MAS/MLIS).

First Nations Curriculum Concentration site

Ways of Knowing Breadth Requirement

The Faculty of Arts’ new Ways of Knowing Breadth Requirement involves 21 credits and is a flexible and cohesive learning experience where students are encouraged to explore and understand how various perspectives shape their connections to the Indigenous lands in British Columbia and with each other.

Ways of Knowing Breadth Requirement site

Faculty of Education

Engaging with Indigenous Curriculum

This institute is designed to support BC educators with the Indigenous-focused graduation requirement course and with decolonizing and Indigenizing their teaching practices. The in-person institute will emphasize a growth of knowledge of Indigenous histories, decolonization, Indigenous Knowledges, and anti-oppression. Led by renowned Indigenous scholar and educator, Dr. Dustin Louie, participants will be supported in positioning themselves in relation to the work, while expanding and shifting their thinking on what is possible for an Indigenous graduate requirement course.

Engaging with Indigenous Curriculum site

Indigenous Teacher Education Program

NITEP logo

NITEP is a Bachelor of Education program preparing persons of Indigenous ancestry to be educators. Presently, there is a shortage of Indigenous teachers in BC, while an increasing number of Indigenous people desire to become teachers. The purpose of the program is to build upon and strengthen the cultural heritage and identity of professionals in training.

Indigenous Teacher Education Program site

Master of Education in Indigenous Education

Master of Education in Indigenous Education students.

The Master of Education in Indigenous Education degree addresses policy, programmatic, curricular, and community/parental relationship priorities as they pertain to Indigenous education. The program is ideal for teachers, administrators, community educators, early childhood educators, and other professionals who wish to enhance their knowledge and professional practice in Indigenous education.

MEd in Indigenous Education site

Nurturing Childhoods Through Indigenous Ways of Knowing

This Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) is designed to empower and support educators, service providers and families to engage with Indigenous knowledges in early learning environments. The course offers a transformative learning experience, weaving together Indigenous worldviews and pedagogies with diverse perspectives. Co-created with community, educator and scholarly voices, this free, fully-online course is accessible to participants seeking to explore ways to enhance their practice and care environments through Indigenous ways of knowing. There are no admission prerequisites.

Nurturing Childhoods Through Indigenous Ways of Knowing site

Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education

Take this 6-Week Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) and engage with Indigenous knowledge keepers, educational leaders, and resources to enhance your understanding and knowledge of practices that advance reconciliation in the places where you live, learn, and work.

Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education site

Ts”Kel Program

An alternative educational program for graduate students of Indigenous ancestry, the Ts”Kel Graduate Studies program was originally designed to prepare First Nations people for the field of Educational Administration. Since then, Ts”Kel has expanded to include Educational Studies, Curriculum and Instruction, and Educational Psychology and Special Education.

Ts”Kel site

Faculty of Forestry

Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship

Be part of the global cultural resurgence of Indigenous Peoples as they reclaim and revitalize their lands; strengthen their systems of governance; build economic opportunities; and bring knowledge systems together to ensure community capacity, sustainability and resiliency in an uncertain climate future. Led by Indigenous scholars, well-prepared allies, Elders and Knowledge Keepers, the Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship program gives students a thorough understanding of land stewardship concepts, knowledge and skills using culturally appropriate approaches.

Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship site

Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Graduate Degree Programs

UBC’s broad range of faculty members with expertise in Indigenous areas allows graduate students in almost any program to focus their studies on issues important to Indigenous communities both in Canada and internationally. Many Indigenous students choose the Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program, an ideal venue for developing the interdisciplinary approach to Indigenous areas of study.

Graduate Degree Programs site

Peter A. Allard School of Law

Indigenous Legal Studies

Indigenous Legal Studies works to enhance Indigenous people’s involvement in the legal profession by providing legal education relating to Indigenous issues and supporting the legal education of Indigenous students. Since 1975, hundreds of Indigenous students have graduated from the Peter A. Allard School of Law. Many of these graduates are now leaders who have helped to redefine First Nations legal issues in Canada.

Indigenous Legal Studies site

Indigenous Community Legal Clinic

The Indigenous Community Legal Clinic provides law students at the Peter A. Allard School of Law with the valuable opportunity to work in a legal clinic on cases with Indigenous clientele in Vancouver’s downtown eastside.

Indigenous Community Legal Clinic site

Faculty of Medicine

Indigenous Family Medicine

This program offers First Nations/Indigenous medical graduates, including those interested in Indigenous heath care issues, an opportunity to give special attention in their family practice residency programs to the challenging health care issues facing First Nations or Indigenous people.

Indigenous Family Medicine site

Indigenous Public Health Training

Explore Canada’s only Indigenous Public Health professional development opportunity at UBC’s Faculty of Medicine. The Indigenous Public Health Training Institute equips Indigenous community members and scholars with the necessary skills to address public health issues in Indigenous communities. One-week intensive courses are offered toward the completion of the Graduate Certificate or Certificate (non-credit) in Indigenous Public Health, or courses can be taken individually.

Indigenous Public Health Training site

Extended Learning

Indigenous Health Administration and Leadership

This certificate program is designed to meet the learning needs of Indigenous administrative staff living and working in Indigenous communities, as well as those who are preparing to work in the field and who need knowledge and skills to provide effective administration for community programs. The program expands its focus beyond health delivery to include environmental and other community health issues.

Indigenous Health Administration and Leadership site

Sauder School of Business

Ch’nook Indigenous Business Education

Ch’nook Indigenous Business Education is a unique initiative founded by the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Established to address the needs of sustainable economic development in Indigenous communities, Ch’nook also recognizes the importance of celebrating the accomplishments of existing successful Indigenous business leaders, organizations, and current students pursuing business education.

Ch’nook Indigenous Business Education site

Métis Nation British Columbia Business Management Program

The Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) Business Management Program is a fully online entrepreneurship certificate program designed exclusively for MNBC citizens. Delivered in partnership with the UBC Sauder Spitz Centre for Indigenous Business Education and MNBC, this program blends foundational business education with Métis cultural perspectives to help you launch or strengthen your business. Whether you have a band-new idea or want to grow an existing venture, this program will equip you with the tools, skills and confidence to take your next steps as an entrepreneur.

Métis Nation British Columbia Business Management Program site

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Updated: September 23, 2025