Indigenous History, Sovereignty and Cultural Awareness

Program Overview

The Indigenous History, Sovereignty, and Cultural Awareness badge is a 12-credit microcredential designed for current and aspiring educators, as well as professionals in fields such as social work, psychology, communications, counseling, sociology, public leadership, environmental science, and more.

This program combines courses in multicultural education, Indigenous history, art and culture, and contemporary issues, with an emphasis on academic service-learning. Participants develop the awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary to learn from, teach about, and engage respectfully with Indigenous nations, while recognizing and challenging systems and structures rooted in settler colonialism and racism.

Courses included (3 credits each):

• TED 270 – Multicultural Education
• INDG 330 – Contemporary Issues in American Indian Society
• Choose one:
  • INDG 223 – American Indian History I
  • INDG 224 – American Indian History II
  • INDG 324 – Indigenous History of the Great Lakes
• Choose one:
  • INDG 304 – American Indian Literature
  • INDG 110 – American Indian Art and Culture

Upon completion, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate competency in equity and inclusion through understanding Indigenous histories, cultures, and contemporary issues.
• Engage in anti-racist and anti-colonial practices in professional and educational settings.
• Earn a digital badge recognizing their achievement.

Academic Credit – Yes

Note: Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor regarding the transferability of courses into a subsequent degree, per university policy.

Earning Criteria

To earn this certificate, enrollees must:

• Complete all four courses listed above with a grade of C or better in each course.

What You’ll Learn

By completing this certificate, you will develop skills in:

• Critical Thinking
  • Analyze and engage with local and global Indigenous perspectives, challenging systems, structures, and policies rooted in settler colonialism and racism.
• Equity and Inclusion
  • Develop awareness, knowledge, and skills for inclusive engagement with diverse cultures, particularly Indigenous communities in North America.
• Leadership
  • Seek out diverse resources, including Indigenous voices and organizations (e.g., GLIFWC), and apply innovative thinking informed by traditional ecological knowledge.
• Professionalism
  • Act in the interest of the larger community with consideration of Indigenous communities, demonstrating ethical and equitable professional behavior.
• Teamwork
  • Collaborate with diverse peers, respecting a variety of viewpoints and cultural perspectives.
• Technology
  • Gain proficiency in online communication and digital tools through hi-flex course delivery, including online discussion boards, digital archival research, and multimedia presentations.