This fall, Fanshawe College will be launching a new program that came from humble beginnings. The General Arts and Science program under the School of Language and Liberal Studies has started a First Nations Studies Major one-year certificate and two-year diploma program.

Usually when a new program gets unveiled for the first time, the appropriate academic officials are the only ones involved in making it. This time, however, not only were the bigwigs and suits involved, but the public had their voice heard as well.

Prior to the birth of the program, the process of installing it took about a year and a half and included several sessions involving the counsel of local First Nations Chiefs. Andrew Judge is an instructor and curriculum development coordinator for the program, and he commented that having the First Nations community involved was the best approach to develop the course. “Seeking the consultation of First Nations people in the development of anything to do with First Nations people has been recognized as integral to the success of any program,” he said. “Over the years there have been efforts to design programming, (and) research studies without the consultation of First Nations people, and time and time again those have failed.”

The three predominant local reserves surrounding the London area include the Oneida, Chippewa and Munsee-Delaware Nations of the Thames, who Judge said all played a big part in getting the deal done. “People of those communities were the major contributors to the development of this program. Through their words, through their suggestions and recommendations, we went ahead and designed a program that's really unique in terms of college First Nations Studies programs in Canada, and North America, really.”

Students will graduate with a one-year General Arts and Science certificate with specialization in First Nations Studies, and there is a two-year option that allows students to walk away with a diploma. The added perk of the second year is the chance to take transferable university-level credits and use those at Western University to pursue other studies if students wish. The program was able to assert an agreement with Western, and Judge said he thinks this opportunity will more than pay off. “The two-year offering is basically a gateway; it's a pathway to higher learning at Western. So once the students enter their second year, it's mandatory to take a minimum of three university-level credits, but they can take up to five because there's five course offerings here. So they could potentially have a first year (at) Western done and go right into their second year.”

The Fanshawe program will feature opportunities inside and outside the classroom. “We have a lot of dynamic opportunities for students to engage with the community as well as to not only earn academic skills while in this facility, but also to earn practical skills outside within the community, as well as volunteer opportunities.”

As unique as the program is, Judge assured that it isn't exclusive. Anybody who is interested in learning Indigenous knowledge is encouraged to apply, whether you are a First Nations student or not.

The First Nations program is a breakthrough for Fanshawe College, and offers a new opportunity for students to pursue a unique course offering. Although great strides have been made, Judge said he hopes that one day a full-out First Nations diploma will be its own separate program, not under General Arts and Science. “I hope that we have a diploma in First Nations studies. My focus is really leadership ... If we can produce good leaders who know the inner workings of organizations, who know how to engage the community and to assist in not only that healing, but growth of the Indigenous communities because they're growing real, real fast, and there's lots and lots of youth.”

The program will be hosting its official kickoff on September 6; starting at 7 a.m., there will be a Sunrise Ceremony on the field by the soccer pitches, and guest speakers will be featured in the Student Union Building from 9 to 11 a.m. Anyone from the Indigenous community and any Fanshawe staff and student is more than welcome to attend.

For more information on the First Nations Studies major, check out www.fanshawec.ca/fns.