Please note:

To effectively participate in this program, students must have reliable Internet access and a device that meets these requirements.

About the program

The Indigenous Studies Certificate of Achievement will provide a combination of courses related to the resurgence of Indigenous knowledge and traditional land-based practices in North America with a specific focus on the region of South Western Ontario. This certificate of achievement will introduce indigenous and nonindigenous students to the field of Indigenous Studies. It will enable students to gain a sense of the Indigenous cultural competencies that can be directly applied to one's career. This program is designed to be completed concurrently with a student's full-time program. The certificate will be composed of four Indigenous Studies courses, three can count toward the achievement of the general education requirement, and one must be taken separately. The certificate will be taught by faculty trained in Indigenous methodologies.

Program information

All courses must be completed within 5 years of acceptance into the program.

Admission requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) OR, 19 years of age or older with mature student status.

Admission procedures

  • Submit a completed Conestoga College Program Application Form
  • Attach proof of admission requirements
  • Final selection is made following an assessment of the admission requirements.

Graduate opportunities

The certificate will increase the cultural competencies of our graduates, and will provide a sense of the social context for traditional Indigenous modes of knowledge. It will empower people to deal respectfully with Indigenous communities and to see the importance of assisting the cultural restoration of Indigenous teachings.

For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities, see the Government of Canada website: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home

Program outcomes

  • Recognize traditional Anishinaabe lifestyle, spirituality, creation beliefs, and Wampum Belt teachings.
  • Develop practical relationship building skills based on the circle and cycles of creation.
  • Employ sustainability practices on both land and water aligned with the Indigenous peoples of the South, West, East and North.
  • Interpret aspects of Indigenous and non-Indigenous history, as well as Indigenous art, literature, symbolism, and song.

Program related resources

Continuing Education
Upcoming registrations

Mark your calendar with our registration dates, so you can plan your future.

Winter registration: Opens November 4, 2024
Spring registration: Opens March 17, 2025