History of the Faculty

 

Establishing an academic unit focusing on Native Studies had been discussed within the University of Alberta since 1972, when such a unit was proposed in a University Senate Committee meeting by representatives of the Indian Association of Alberta.

In 1978, 20 recommendations were made to the University Senate by its task force regarding improved service to Native people and a more coherent involvement in Native Studies. In that year, the University of Alberta GFC established a Standing Committee on Native Studies consisting of University of Alberta faculty members and students and representatives of the Native community at large.

After several years of research, discussion and consultation with interested individuals and groups from inside and outside the University, the Committee on Native Studies opted for an ambitious program of Native Studies.

The Committee on Native Studies proposed the establishment of a School of Native Studies that would be multidisciplinary in character, instead of a small department confining itself to Native history, language and culture.

The School would offer a wide range of courses leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Native Studies, as well as minor concentrations for students in other faculties. Faculty members and students would engage in research with special attention to language and land use. Though not parochial in its outlook on Native Studies, the Faculty would pay particular attention to Native Peoples — Indian, Inuit and Métis of the Canadian West and North.

The University of Alberta School of Native Studies and a program leading to the Bachelor of Arts in Native Studies was officially established in 1988. 

As a result of the School's growth in student and faculty numbers, as well as the expansion of its teaching and research programs, it transitioned to the Faculty of Native Studies in June 2006.