Core Comprehensive Bibliography
The core comprehensive bibliography is a list of the 100 sources that students are expected to know comprehensively before sitting for their comprehensive examination. Core comprehensive readings are divided into a 70/30 split. Seventy of the sources are required reading for all students. The required readings are spread across four themes and some have been incorporated into first-year courses. The remainder is covered in the core comprehensive preparation course (6720H). While the program has done its best to provide engagement with the 70 required readings over the first year and a half of the program, students are ultimately responsible for ensuring they have engaged with the 70 required sources and are prepared to take the exam at the scheduled time (January) in their second year in the program.
Core Comprehensive Themes
Theme One: Land and Indigenous Knowledge
This theme includes scholarship that addresses Indigenous Knowledges, comprising of relationships to lands, waters and Indigenous cosmologies and cultures. The focus is on Indigenous knowledges as they are expressed by Elders and Knowledges Holders (Primarily Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee but with some inclusion of other Indigenous Nations).
These knowledges may be disseminated through various forms, such as oral and written communication, existing recordings of Elders or Knowledge Holders, ceremonies, languages, social and political systems, performative traditions, food systems as well as other expressions of Indigenous knowledges not named above.
Core Readings (17 books, 1 chapter):
- Absolon, Kathleen Kaandosswin, This Is How We Come to Know. Winnipeg: Fernwood Books, 2011.
- Allen, Paula Gunn. The Sacred Hoop: Recovering the Feminine in American Indian Traditions : With a New Preface. Boston: Beacon Press, 1992.
- Basso, Keith. Wisdom Sits in Places: Landscape and Language among the Western Apache. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1996.
- Benton-Benai, Edward. .The Mishomis Book: The Voice of the Ojibway. Hayward, WI: Indian Country Communications, 1988.
- Borrows, John. Drawing out Law: A Spirit’s Guide. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2010.
- Cajete, Gregory. Native Science: Natural Laws of Interdependence. Santa Fe, NM.: Clear Light Books, 1999.
- Cruikshank, Julie. Life Lived Like a Story: Life Stories of Three Yukon Native Elders. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1990.
- Foushee, Lea, Gurneau, Renee, Benton-Benai, Edward. Sacred Water: Water for Life. North American Water Office, 2010.
- Geniusz, Wendy Djinn. Our Knowledge Is Not Primitive: Decolonizing Botanical Anishinaabe Teachings. 1st ed. Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse University Press, 2009.
- Johnston, Basil. Honour Earth Mother = Mino-Audjaudauh Mizzu-Kummik-Quae. 1st ed. Wiarton, Ont.: Kegedonce Press, 2003.
- Kimmerer, Robin Wall. Braiding Sweetgrass. First edition. ed. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Milkweed Editions, 2013.
- Meyer, Manulani Aluli. "Holographic Epistemology: Native Common Sense." China Media research9, no. 2 (2013): 94-101.
- Nelson, Melissa K. Original Instructions: Indigenous Teachings for a Sustainable Future. Rochester, Vt.: Bear & Company, 2008.
- Porter, Tom, Lesley Forrester, and Hes Ka Hon. And Grandma Said--Iroquois Teachings: As Passed Down through the Oral Tradition. [Philadelphia, Pa.]: Xlibris Corp., 2008.
- Settee, Priscilla. Pimatsiwin = the Good Life, Global Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Vernon, B.C.: J. Charlton Pub., 2013.
- Simpson, Leanne Betasamosake and Amanda Strong. The Gift Is in the Making: Anishinaabeg Stories. Winnipeg: HighWaters Press, 2013.
- Swamp, Jake and Erwin Printup. Giving Thanks : A Native American Good Morning Message. 1st ed. New York: Lee & Low books, 1995.
- Williams, Doug. Mishi Saagiig Nishnaabeg: This Is Our Territory. Winnipeg: ARP Books, 2018.
Theme Two: Colonialism and Advocacy
This theme addresses the long assault on Indigenous Nations, lands, ecologies and sovereignty starting in 1492. Scholarship is focused on the systemic and ongoing nature of settler colonialism which is manifested in conflicting ontologies, land theft, cognitive imperialism, environmental degradation, violence, racism and micro-aggressions. It stresses the importance of Indigenous advocacy and decolonization movements across Indigenous homelands.
This theme also addresses the challenges, constraints and complexities plaguing contemporary Indigenous-settler relations as a result of the long assault. Reconciliation has become a popular discourse for determining the future direction of Indigenous-settler relations in Canada and elsewhere. There are in fact, many public engagement efforts across Canadian and other settler societies to reconcile relationships and to transform settler consciousness in order to decolonize the way settler society engages with Indigenous peoples. While highly debated in Indigenous communities and Nations, addressing the colonial past includes the activism and public engagement of Indigenous and settler Canadians at the local, regional, national and international levels (e.g. UNDRIP).
Core Readings (17 Books):
- Asch, Michael., Borrows, John., Tully, James ed. Resurgence and Reconciliation: Indigenous-Settler Relations and Earth Teachings. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2018.
- Borrows, John., Coyle, Michael, ed. The Right Relationship: Reimagining the Implementation of Historical Treaties. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2017.
- Davis, Lynne. Alliances: Re/Envisioning Indigenous-Non-Indigenous Relationships. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2010.
- DeGagné, Mike, Gregory Younging, Jonathan Dewar, and Aboriginal Healing Foundation (Canada). Response, Responsibility, and Renewal: Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Journey. [Revised edition] ed. Aboriginal Healing Foundation Research Series;. Ottawa: Aboriginal Healing Foundation, 2011.
- Dion, Susan and Michael R. Dion. Braiding Histories: Learning from Aboriginal Peoples' Experiences and Perspectives: Including the Braiding Histories Stories Co-Written with Michael R. Dion. Vancouver: UBC Press, 2009.
- Lowman, Emma Battell and Adam J. Barker. Settler: Identity and Colonialism in 21st Century Canada.
- Mackey, Eva. Unsettled Expectations: Uncertainty, Land and Settler Decolonization.
- Manuel, Arthur. Unsettling Canada: A National Wake-up Call. Toronto: BETWEEN THE LINES, 2015.
- Manuel, Arthur, Ronald M. Derrickson, and Naomi Klein. Reconciliation Manifesto: Recovering the Land, Rebuilding the Economy.
- Martin, Keavy, Dylan Robinson, and David Garneau. Arts of Engagement: Taking Aesthetic Action in and Beyond the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Indigenous Studies Series.
- McCall, Sophie and Gabrielle L'Hirondelle Hill. The Land We Are: Artists & Writers Unsettle the Politics of Reconciliation. Winnipeg: ARP Books, 2015.
- McKegney, Sam. Magic Weapons: Aboriginal Writers Remaking Community after Residential School. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press, 2007.
- Monchalin, Lisa. The Colonial Problem: An Indigenous Perspective on Crime and Injustice in Canada. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2016.
- Newcomb, Steven T. Pagans in the Promised Land: Decoding the Doctrine of Christian Discovery. Golden, Colorado: Fulcrum Publishing, 2008.
- Regan, Paulette. Unsettling the Settler Within: Indian Residential Schools, Truth Telling, and Reconciliation in Canada. Vancouver; Toronto: UBC Press, 2010.
- Tuck, E., & Yang, K.W. "Decolonization Is Not a Metaphor."Decolonization: Indigeneity, Education and Society,1 (2012): 1-40.
- Walters, Karina L., Selina A. Mohammed, Teresa Evans-Campbell, Ramona E. Beltrán, David H. Chae, Bonnie Duran. "Bodies Don't Just Tell Stories, They Tell Histories: Embodiment of Historical Trauma among American Indians and Alaska Natives." Du Bois Review8, no. 1 (2011): 179-89.
Theme Three: Indigenous Resurgence
Indigenous Resurgence reflects Indigeneity by, for and with Indigenous peoples. The theme emphasizes Indigenous Thought and the scholarship produced by Indigenous academic and Community/ Nation scholars about contemporary experiences with Indigenous knowledge. It articulates relationality paying attention to the ways Indigenous peoples are [re]engaging culturally, spiritually, mentally and physically with their homelands, eco-systems, traditional education (including land-based pedagogies), social and political and legal systems, food and medicines, languages, ceremonies and performative traditions.
Core Readings (18):
- Akwesasne, Notes. Basic Call to Consciousness. Summertown, Tenn.: Native Voices, 2005.
- Alfred, Gerald R. Wasáse: Indigenous Pathways of Action and Freedom. Toronto, Ont.: University of Toronto Press, 2009.
- Anderson, Kim and Robert Alexander Innes. Indigenous Men and Masculinities Legacies, Identities, Regeneration. Winnipeg, Manitoba: University of Manitoba Press, 2015.
- Archibald, Jo-ann. Indigenous Storywork: Educating the Heart, Mind, Body, and Spirit. Vancouver: UBC Press, 2008.
- Borrows, John. Recovering Canada: The Resurgence of Indigenous Law. Toronto, Ont.: University of Toronto Press, 2002.
- Borrows, John. Freedom and Indigenous Constitutionalism. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2016.
- Corntassel, Jeff., Alfred, Taiaiake., Goodyear-Ka’opua., Noelani, Silva., Nonoe K., Aikau, Hokulani., Mucina, Devi, ed. Everyday Acts of Resurgence: People, Places, Practices. Olympia, Wa: Daykeeper Press, 2018.
- Deloria, Vine, Barbara Deloria, Kristen Foehner, and Samuel Scinta. Spirit & Reason, the Vine Deloria, Jr., Reader. Golden, Colo.: Fulcrum Pub., 1999.
- Rodriguez, Jeanette with Iakoiane Wakerabkats:teh. A Clan Mother’s call: Reconstructing Haudenosaunee Cultural Memory.Albany: State University of New York, 2017.
- Justice, Daniel Heath. Why Indigenous Literatures Matter. Indigenous Studies. Brantford: Wilfrid Laurier Press, 2018.
- McAdam, Sylvia. Nationhood Interrupted: Revitalizing Nêhiyaw Legal System. Saskatoon: Purich Publishing, 2015.
- Monture, Rick. We Share Our Matters = Teionkwakhashion Tsi Niionkwariho:Ten: Two Centuries of Writing and Resistance at Six Nations of the Grand River. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press, 2015.
- Palmater, Pamela D. Indigenous Nationhood: Empowering Grassroots Citizens. Black Point, N.S.; Winnipeg, Manitoba: Fernwood Publishing, 2015.
- Rifkin, Mark. Beyond Settler Time Temporal Sovereignty and Indigenous Self-Determination. Durham; London: Duke University Press, 2017.
- Simpson, Audra. Mohawk Interruptus Political Life across the Borders of Settler States. Durham: Duke University Press, 2014.
- Simpson, Leanne Betasamosake. As We Have Always Done: Indigenous Freedom through Radical ResistanceIndigenous Americas. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2017.
- Turner, Dale A. This Is Not a Peace Pipe: Towards a Critical Indigenous Philosophy. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2006.
- Wagamese, Richard. One Native Life. Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 2008.
Theme Four: Critical Indigenous Studies
Critical Indigenous Studies challenges the power and knowledge structures and discourses through which Indigenous peoples have been framed and known. It confronts the construction and representation of Indigeneity in settler societies, including the academy and academic programs (including Indigenous Studies). The theme critically engages externally and internally imposed binaries that hinder the development of positive self-worth and identity among Indigenous peoples such as essentialist gender and/or sexuality representations, urban vs reserve experiences, plus a multitude of other issues currently debated and discussed in contemporary scholarship.
Core Readings (18):
- Andersen, Chris. "Métis": Race, Recognition, and the Struggle for Indigenous Peoplehood. Vancouver: UBC Press, 2014.
- Andersen, Chris and Jean M. O'Brien. Sources and Methods in Indigenous Studies. Routledge Guides to Using Historical Sources, 2017.
- Barker, Joanne. Critically Sovereign: Indigenous Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 2017.
- Coulthard, Glen Sean. Red Skin, White Masks: Rejecting the Colonial Politics of Recognition. Minneapolis; London: University of Minnesota Press, 2014.
- Doerfler, Jill, Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair, and Heidi Kiiwetinepinesiik Stark. Centering Anishinaabeg Studies: Understanding the World through Stories. East Lansing Winnipeg: Michigan State University Press; 2013.
- Kuokkanen, Rauna Johanna. Reshaping the University: Responsibility, Indigenous Epistemes, and the Logic of the Gift. Vancouver; Toronto: UBC Press, 2007.
- McGregor, Deborah, Restoule, Jean-Paul, Johnstone, Rochelle, ed. Indigenous Research: Theories, Practices, and Relationships: Canadian Scholars Press, 2018.
- Mihesuah, Devon A. and Angela Cavender Wilson. Indigenizing the Academy: Transforming Scholarship and Empowering Communities. Contemporary Indigenous Issues. Lincoln; London: University of Nebraska Press, 2004.
- Mohawk, John and José Barreiro. Thinking in Indian: A John Mohawk Reader. Golden, Colo.: Fulcrum Pub., 2010.
- Moreton-Robinson, Aileen. Critical Indigenous Studies: Engagements in First World Locations. Critical Issues in Indigenous Studies. Tucson, AZ.: University of Arizona Press.
- Morra, Linda M. and Deanna Reder. Troubling Tricksters: Revisioning Critical Conversations. Indigenous Studies Series. Waterloo, Ont.: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2010.
- Noodin, Margaret. Bawaajimo: A Dialect of Dreams in Anishinaabe Language and Literature. American Indian Studies Series. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press, 2014.
- Proulx, Craig and Heather Howard-Bobiwash. Aboriginal Peoples in Canadian Cities: Transformations and Continuities. Indigenous Studies. Waterloo, Ont.: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2011.
- Simpson, Audra and Andrea Smith. Theorizing Native Studies. Durham; London: Duke University Press, 2014.
- Simpson, Leanne Betasamosake. Dancing on Our Turtle's Back: Stories of Nishnaabeg Re-Creation, Resurgence and a New Emergence. Winnipeg: Arbeiter Ring Publishing, 2011.
- Smith, Linda Tuhiwai. Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples. Second edition. ed. London, Zed Books, 2012.
- Wilson, Shawn. Research Is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods. Black Point, N.S.: Fernwood Pub., 2008.
- Younging, Gregory. Elements of Indigenous Style: A Guide for Writing by and About Indigenous Peoples.
Area of Emphasis Component
The remaining 30 books from the core comprehensive reading list are covered in INDG 6701H (Dissertation Proposal Preparation Course). Students in this course prepare a literature review based upon these 30 sources (chosen by the student in consultation with their supervisor and committee).
Upon successful completion of INDG 6701, and the core comprehensive exam (oral and written components), students will receive a note on their transcript and are ready to move onto the next stage in the program.