Northern First Nations Studies

First Nations moccassins

Explore the Indigenous North

Learn about the history, cultures and accomplishments, as well as the social, political and national concerns of First Nations and other Indigenous peoples of Yukon, the Canadian North and the circumpolar world.

Northern First Nations Studies and COVID-19 in Winter 2021

Yukon University, in response to COVID-19, has made changes to the way its courses are delivered this year. Most courses will be run online. 

Some courses have weekly scheduled video-conferenced sessions along with online activities while others will be taught entirely online. See the course pages and outlines for details about specific courses.

Please contact the School of Liberal Arts or a program advisor for assistance or for more information about COVID-19-related changes to the program and its courses. 

Program description

Northern First Nations Studies is an interdisciplinary program in which students learn about the history, cultures and accomplishments, as well as the social, political and national concerns of First Nations and other Indigenous peoples of the Yukon, the Canadian North and the Circumpolar World.

Admission requirements
  • Grade 12 graduation with English 12

If students do not meet either admission requirement, they should explore entry options with a program advisor.

Graduation requirements

To graduate, Diploma students must complete 60 credits, including

  • ENGL 100 and ENGL 101 (6 credits)
  • Two NFNS core courses (6 credits)
  • Two Northern Studies core courses (6 credits)
  • One First Nations Studies (FNST) I elective (3 credits)
  • One FNST II electives (3 credits)
  • Two FNST III electives (6 credits)
  • Two science electives (6 credits)*
  • One social-science elective (3 credits)
  • Seven open electives (21 credits)**

In addition, diploma students must

  • complete six courses (18 credits) at the 200 level or above
  • complete at least 50% of the coursework at Yukon University
  • maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C average)

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT ELECTIVES: NFNS Diploma students may optionally take up to 12 credits of electives from outside the School of Liberal Arts and School of Science (excluding Continuing Education).

However, students must recognize that such coursework may not be transferable to programs at other post-secondary institutions and may result in a credit shortfall upon transfer. Students working towards a degree should check their course selection with a Program Advisor.

*NOTE: As of May, 2019, science elective courses no longer require labs. Please check with a Program Advisor to discuss options.

**NOTE: The seven open electives specified above may be filled with courses in the FNST I, II and III electives categories, provided all other requirements are met.

 

Yukon First Nations Core Competency

Yukon University recognizes that a greater understanding and awareness of Yukon First Nations history, culture and journey towards self-determination will help to build positive relationships among all Yukon citizens. As a result, you will be required to achieve core competency in knowledge of Yukon First Nations.

For details, visit Yukon First Nations Core Competency

Transferability

For transfer information on a specific Yukon University course, click the 'Check the BC Transfer Options' link on the course’s information page. For additional information, consult a Program Advisor.

Money matters

Fees

Tuition for credit programs is calculated per course credit. See money matters for more information.

Some programs and courses have additional fees -  see Ancillary Fees.


Student financial awards

Education is an investment in your future, your family and your community. Yukon University is pleased to support that investment by offering some of the most competitive tuition rates in the country, as well as several student financial awards to help offset your educational and living costs.


Financial assistance

There are government programs, scholarships, bursaries, awards and First Nation funding available to financially support you throughout your academic career.

See money matters for more information, or talk to our financial advising staff in the Student Services Centre. Email or call 867 668 5209 to make an appointment.

Program Guides

A program planning guide lays out the courses and requirements needed to graduate from a particular program. It guides you through course selection options for each term, provides a sample program pathway and acts as a tool to track your progress.

Courses

First Nations Studies I Electives: 1 required, 3 credits

Open Electives. List is not exhaustive; consult a program advisor for more options.

Elective
Title Campus Scheduled
ANTH 101 - Biological and Forensic Anthropology
ANTH 144 - Heritage and Culture Field School
ANTH 210 - Globalization and the Culture of Capitalism
ANTH 225 - Field Methods in Subarctic Ethnography and Archaeology
ANTH 300 - Anthropology of Gender
ASTR 100 - Introduction to Astronomy
BIOL 101 - Principles of Biology 1
BIOL 102 - Principles of Biology 2
BIOL 290 - Beringia: Its Pleistocene Environment and Paleoecology
CHEM 111 - Chemical Energetics and Dynamics
CRIM 101 - Introduction to Criminology
CRIM 103 - Psychological Explanations of Crime and Deviance
CRIM 104 - Sociological Explanations of Crime and Deviance
CRIM 241 - Intro to Corrections
ENGL 203 - Introduction to the Novel
ENGL 204 - Introduction to Science Fiction
ENGL 205 - Literary Representations of the Natural World
ENGL 206 - Introduction to the Short Story
ENGL 220 - The North in Canadian Literature
ENVS 100 - Introduction to Environmental Science 1
ENVS 101 - Introduction to Environmental Science 2
GEOG 101 - Introduction to Physical Geography 1
GEOG 102 - Introduction to Physical Geography 2
HIST 120 - European History 1
HIST 121 - European History 2
HIST 135 - Canadian History to 1867
HIST 136 - Canadian History - Confederation to the Present
PHED 222 - Northern Outdoor Pursuits and Leadership 2
PHED 225 - Northern Outdoor Pursuits and Leadership 2 Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
PHIL 120 - Introduction to Ethics
POLI 101 - The Government of Canada
POLI 201 - Introduction to Political Thought
POLI 241 - Introduction to International Relations
PSYC 100 - Introduction to Psychology 1
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology 2
PSYC 203 - Social Psychology
PSYC 204 - Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 205 - Child Development
RELI 101 - World Religions II
SOCI 100 - Introduction to Sociology
SOCI 103 - Canadian Society
SOCI 203 - Sociology of the Family
SOCI 209 - Society, Technology and Values
SOCI 227 - Research Methods in the Social Sciences
WGST 100 - Introduction to Women's Studies 1
WGST 101 - Introduction to Women's Studies 2
WGST 200 - Women and Social Change
WGST 230 - Women and History - Rethinking Canada
WGST 240 - The Study of Men and Masculinities 1
WGST 241 - The Study of Men and Masculinities II