Diploma of Arts in First Nations Studies
A Diploma of Arts in First Nations Studies is awarded to recognize the successful completion of the equivalent of two years of full-time study. It requires 60 credits as prescribed below. An overall minimum GPA of 2.33 is required.

First Nations lands, histories, laws, languages, arts, literatures, cultures, social, political and economic issues are the subjects examined in First Nation course offerings. Graduates of the Diploma of Arts in First Nations Studies will have critical reasoning skills and knowledge, which may be applied in many entry level planning, and development oriented jobs, Band controlled programs and projects as well as related sectors of mainstream society.

Please contact the department head for specific requirements. Transfer credit may be granted for approved courses completed at other institutions.
Diploma Course Completion Plan:
A Diploma of First Nations Studies is awarded to recognize the successful completion of two years of study. It requires 60 credits, 30 of which must be at the 2nd year level. Of the 60 credits 48 credits must be First Nations Studies courses. An overall GPA of 2.33 (presently under review) is required.

In addition to the mandatory courses listed below, students must take 9 other courses in First Nations Studies as well as 4 electives (no more than 2 may be taken outside of Academic/Indigenous Studies). First Nations Studies include all Indigenous Studies (INST) courses and also ENG 222, 223 and 224; HIST 234, 235 and 236, FINA 201 and 202; SCIE 150 and 151.

To receive a Diploma of Arts in First Nations Studies a student must obtain a minimum grade of C+ in INST 108 and a minimum grade of C in both ENGL 110 and ENGL 111.

The following are mandatory course requirements:
  • ENGL 110 - College Composition
  • ENGL 111 - Introduction to Modern Fiction
  • INST 108 - General Introduction to First Nations Issues
  • INST 201 - Government Policy and First Nations 1867 to Present
  • INST 202 - Government Policy and First Nations Prior to 1867
  • NLEK 110 - Nle'kepmxcin I (Thompson Language I) (Previously INST 113)
  • NLEK 111 - Nle'kepmxcin II (Thompson Language II) (Previously INST 114)
    • Course Listing for this program
    ENGL 110 - Credits: 3.000
    College Composition
    English 110 prepares students to write successful college essays. This course focuses on the writing process. Students will learn how to develop, organize, write, revise, document, and edit essays. More Details on this course
    Prerequisites:ENGL 060 / or English 12 or permission of instructor.
    ENGL 111 - Credits: 3.000
    Introduction to Modern Fiction
    This course is designed to introduce students to the world of fiction (short stories and novels) through a variety of First Nations and western texts. Students will explore the meaning of literature through subjective experiences and objective study of literary concepts in an interactive atmosphere. More Details on this course
    Prerequisites:ENGL 110 / or permission of instructor.
    INST 108 - Credits: 3.000
    General Introduction to First Nations Issues
    Major interdependency themes of Canada’s First Nations after European contact, including historical demography, economic interdependency, missionary encounters, and relations with the Canadian state. More Details on this course
    Prerequisites:ENGL 060 / or English 12 equivalent or permission of instructor.
    INST 201 - Credits: 3.000
    Government Policy and First Nations 1867 to Present
    Post-confederation economic, social and political and geographic factors influencing First Nations will be surveyed. Emphasis will be given to post World War II changes in governance, economic development, land use and cultural lifestyles. More Details on this course
    Prerequisites:INST 202 / or permission of instructor.
    INST 202 - Credits: 3.000
    Government Policy and First Nations Prior to 1867
    This course surveys the economic, political, and social factors which impacted First Nations life before 1867. Canada’s colonial government policies and practices relating to indigenous peoples will be examined, as well as initiatives in nation-to-nation relations. More Details on this course
    Prerequisites:INST 108 / or permission of instructor.
    NLEK 110 - Credits: 3.000
    Nle'kepmxcin I (Thompson Language I) (Previously INST 113)
    This course will assist students to develop their understanding and speaking skills of Nle'kepmxcin, and will introduce the language structure relevant to class discussion. Emphasis will be on the understanding of the language using “Teaching Through Action”, grammatical structure, and the sound system of the language. More Details on this course
    Prerequisites:ENGL 060 / or English 12 equivalent or permission of instructor.
    NLEK 111 - Credits: 3.000
    Nle'kepmxcin II (Thompson Language II) (Previously INST 114)
    Students will continue the study of Nle'kepmxcin (Thompson Language) through using “Teaching through Action”, grammatical structure, and the sound system of the language. More Details on this course
    Prerequisites:NLEK 110 / (Previosly INST113) or permission of the instructor.

    For information on transferability, please see the BC Council on Admissions and Transferability

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