Available in English

Indigenous Relations (MIR)

Faculty of Education and Health

Work more effectively with Indigenous people by learning about Indigenous research, worldviews, traditional teachings, theories, and practices.

Discover the program Program Details

Program Overview

Bring your knowledge and skills to Indigenous communities on a local, national, and international scale.

Study the Master of Indigenous Relations at Laurentian University and obtain a better understanding of the issues facing Canada's First Nations, Métis, and Inuit populations today. Learn how to effectively build relationships with Indigenous communities as they continue to grow and expand.

The program combines coursework with thesis research and a thesis defence. You’ll study the historical and current relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous societies. You’ll also learn about Indigenous culture through literature, human rights, politics, ecology, and governance. This flexible program is offered full-time and part-time, with courses delivered on campus and in a hybrid format.

The nature of the program also provides you with the opportunity to cross disciplinary boundaries, allowing you to tailor your research and the special project in Indigenous community development to suit your academic interests (e.g., Indigenous social work, nursing, Indigenous studies, education and language, geography, mining, etc.).

Once you complete the program, you’ll receive a Master’s degree in Indigenous Relations and possess the knowledge and insight to drive impactful change in diverse fields. You’ll be able to confidently develop research proposals and policies for social, political, environmental, and health with a thorough understanding of the Indigenous perspective.

Note: You must have a supervisor upon entry to the program. To find a supervisor, consult the supervisor list in the Faculty Members section of this page.

Benefit from supportive and knowledgeable faculty from the School of Indigenous Relations as well as from other faculties, departments and disciplines across campus.

The unique geographic location of the program offers an exceptional experience studying and working in northern Ontario’s Indigenous communities.

This one-of-a-kind Indigenous graduate program is open to students of all cultural backgrounds. It has a special emphasis on bi-cultural competency responsible for working within all Canadian social and policy organizations, in all fields of practice.

Career Outlook

Graduates can rest assured knowing there is a multitude of career options they can explore post-graduation. Some career fields include, but are not limited to:

Administration
Community development
Education
Health
Policy development
Research and development
Training and management

Many careers can also be found in Indigenous organizations and in global political organizations such as the United Nations.

Program Details

Program language:

English

Delivery method:

Hybrid

Contact info

Dr. Candace Brunette-Debassige
cbrunette2@laurentian.ca

Please contact the email above, and our recruitment team will get back to you!

More About The Program

Note: This program is offered both on campus and in a hybrid format (on campus and online).

Learn more about the School of Indigenous Relations

Admission Requirements

Students admitted to the program should have an appropriate Honours Bachelor Degree with Indigenous/Aboriginal content, with an average of at least 70%. Should a student not meet the minimum requirements, the student will have the option of completing a qualifying year before being considered, though the qualifying year does not automatically ensure admission into the program.

Application Process

Step 1. Contact the Graduate Coordinator (sir@laurentian.ca) and/or individual faculty member about the possibility of becoming a student. Students are encouraged to consult the faculty list on the Faculty Members tab in order to identify a potential supervisor (i.e. a faculty member they would like to work with).

Step 2. Click here to submit the online application. Once students have applied, they will receive instructions (typically within 48 hours) from the Office of Admissions leading them to the MyLaurentian portal. Students can access the portal at my.laurentian.ca; sign in credentials will be provided in the correspondence received from the Office of Admissions upon successful completion of an application. The following documents will be required in order to complete an application.

Documents:

Three Reference Forms (to begin the process at my.laurentian.ca click on "Reference Submission" on the left-hand navigation menu)
Statement of Interest (to be uploaded via MyLaurentian)
- Outline proposed area(s) for research for thesis, rationale and proposed methodology
- Must not exceed 500 words
- Must by typed in 12 point font with 1 inch margins and double-spaced. The literature cited is not part of the word count.
Thesis Supervisor form ( to be uplodated via MyLaurentian)
Curriculum Vitae/Resume.
- Must include: academic training, honours and awards, research and employment experience, languages written/spoken/understood, professional and community services.(to be uploaded via MyLaurentian)
Official Academic Transcript(s) from all post secondary studies* (Please note that current or prior Laurentian University students do not need to request transcripts)

*Please note that official transcripts or WES course-by-course (for institutions attended outside of North America) must come directly to the Office of Admissions from the previous post secondary institution by requesting at the time of your application or by contacting the institution's Registrar's Office.

Step 3. Once the Admissions Office receives all information and the application is deemed complete, the application will be forwarded to the department. An Admissions Committee meets to review the applications.

Step 4. The Admissions Committee will review all applications on file and make a decision regarding the suitability of each applicant. The Admissions Committee will then make a recommendation to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies at Laurentian University. The Graduate Studies office will verify the dossier and if satisfactory, the Dean of Graduate Studies will forward the recommendation to the Office of Admissions at Laurentian University for admission.

Step 5: If approved for admission, the Office of Admissions will send the student an Offer of Admission via MyLaurentian. Applicants wishing to accept the offer of admission must indicate their response on MyLaurentian within 3 weeks of receiving the offer. Once the student has accepted the offer, a transition to the registration process occurs.

Important Dates

Deadline for applications: February 15
Decisions for admission: March 15
Note: if the program is not full during the initial application period, the MIR program will accept applications until all spaces are filled

How To Apply

To apply for graduate studies, you must complete your application through the Ontario Universities Application Center (OUAC).

For detailed instructions on the application process, see the following pages:

Apply Now as a Graduate Applicant

Degree Options

Students must follow these regulations while in the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Approved Fields of Study

Indigenous Relations

Program Requirements

The School of Indigenous Relations offers a Master of Indigenous Relations (MIR) on a two-year, full-time only basis consisting of six core courses and a thesis. All students admitted into the program must have a faculty supervisor in place upon entry. Students are required to meet regularly with their supervisor to refine a research thesis topic.

Students are required to have a thesis committee consisting of the supervisor and two MIR faculty members. The thesis committee must be in place by the end of the first term and approved by the program coordinator. The committee oversees the progress of the student’s research and will serve on the thesis exam committee.

Students in the MIR are required to complete the following:

Six core courses: MIRE 5006 EL Indigenous Relations and Worldviews—Theory, and Practice; MIRE 5016 EL Indigenous Research Methodologies; MIRE 5056 EL Natural Resources and the Environment from Indigenous Perspectives (Pre-req MIRE 5006 & MIRE 5016); MIRE 5046 EL The United Nations and International Indigenous Issues (Pre-req MIRE 5006 & MIRE 5016); MIRE 5066 Indigenous Relations in Community Contexts (Pre-req MIRE 5006 & MIRE 5016) and MIRE 5106 EL Special Topics in Indigenous Relations (Pre-req MIRE 5006 & MIRE 5016).
A research thesis (MIRE 5200 EL)
Successful thesis defence

Policies and procedures for the program are outlined in the MIR Handbook.

Sample Courses

MIRE 5006 EL Indigenous Relations and Worldviews - Theory and Practice

This course sets the framework for understanding Indigenous research methodologies in relation to Indigenous worldviews, theory and practice. Critical perspectives on the methods and approaches used in the study of Indigenous peoples, as well as exploration of the political, economic, cultural and social issues involved in conducting research with Indigenous communities are examined (lec 3) cr 3

MIRE 5016 EL Indigenous Research Methodologies

This course critically analyzes various methodologies including qualitative, quantitative, and Indigenous approaches for relevance to the advancement of Indigenous societies. Relationships among epistemology, ideology and research methods are also examined.

Pre-req: Indigenous Relations and Worldviews - Theory and Practice (lec 3 hrs) cr 3

MIRE 5056 EL Natural Resources and the Environment from Indigenous Perspectives

This course will examine how Indigenous and non-Indigenous people interact with Mother Earth (Shkagamik-Kwe). The concept of Natural resources will be analyzed from the Anishnaabe/Indigenous understanding as well as Western paradigms. Case studies are used to examine various issues regarding natural resources, climate change, forest sustainability, management of protected areas and parks, mining exploitation and environmental healing. An understanding of sharing will be analyzed and understood from the Medicine Wheel, Seven Grand Father and Ancestral teachings.

Pre-req Indigenous Relations and Worldviews - Theory and Practice (lecture 3 hrs cr 3); Indigenous Research Methodologies (lecture 3 hrs cr 3).

MIRE 5066 EL Indigenous Relations in Community Contexts

This course examines styles of interaction at the verbal and non-verbal levels as well as analyzing forms of communication that come into play in Indigenous community development and organizational contexts. Topics include: culturally sensitive communication differences and successful interactions with people from other cultures. An understanding of community relationships will be analyzed and understood from the Medicine Wheel, Seven Grandfather and Ancestral teachings.

Pre-req: Indigenous Relations and Worldviews - Theory and Practice (lecture 3 hrs cr 3); Indigenous Research Methodologies (lecture 3 hrs cr 3).

MIRE 5046 EL The United Nations and International Indigenous Issues

This course provides an understanding of International Indigenous issues associated with the United Nations and Country policies with respect to Indigenous peoples. Topics include: an examination of Human Rights Conventions; the United Nation system; the role of NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations); State Country reporting; and Indigenous actions toward legal, economic, political and International strategies. The strategies and politics of human rights, Indigenous rights, distinctive juridical customs, International cooperation and the role of foreign assistance programs are also analyzed.

Pre-req: Indigenous Relations and Worldviews - Theory and Practice (lecture 3 hrs) cr 3; Indigenous Research Methodologies. (lecture 3 hrs) cr 3

MIRE 5106 EL Special Topics in Indigenous Relations

This course entails a project on a special topic in Indigenous community development. A position paper is conducted with a community in consultation with a faculty supervisor. cr 3

Pre-req: Indigenous Relations and Worldviews – Theory and Practice (lecture 3 hrs cr 3); Indigenous Research Methodologies (lecture 3 hrs cr 3).

MIRE 5200 EL Indigenous Relations Master’s Thesis

Under the guidance of a faculty supervisor the student completes a thesis based on a proposal he/she has developed.

Pre-req [All CORE courses of the MIR] cr 12

The prerequisite for the Thesis is that students must complete all of the Core courses.

Other course options

In keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of the program, students may choose to opt for a course from another Laurentian University Master’s program and use these credits towards their own course of study if that program approves.