Histories and Personal Responsibilities: Indigenous Peoples and Colonialism in Canada

HGI 320A 

September 8 to December 9, 2026 | Mon & Weds 1-2:30 PM | ONLINE

100-level foundational course
Open to all students and lifelong learners
Instructor: Dr. Gwooyim Gyat

HGI 320A: Histories and Personal Responsibilities: Indigenous Peoples and Colonialism in Canada examines how colonialism in this country is remembered, denied, justified, challenged, and lived across institutions and everyday life. Beginning with questions raised by the late Hon. Murray Sinclair on identity and life purpose, the course explores how colonial narratives are reproduced through schools, media, universities, businesses, law, and state policy. Students will critically examine such topics as residential school denialism, citizenship education, anti-Indigenous racism, land acknowledgements, Aboriginal title, UNDRIP and DRIPA implementation, and Indigenous responses to global crises.

Grounded in Indigenous scholarship, public controversies, documentaries, legal cases, and contemporary media, the course invites students to reflect on their own histories and personal responsibilities within ongoing colonial realities and to ponder the ways in which these narratives are not only produced and contested but how they might be re-storied towards better relations.

This course will become the pre-requisite for HGSE 371 Re-Storying History: Indigenous Perspectives. Students interested in taking any Haida Gwaii Institute online courses or semester programs on Haida Gwaii are strongly encouraged to take this foundational course.

Instructor Bio

Dr. Gwooyim Gyat is a scholar and educator whose work explores Indigenous law, governance, and history. Drawing on both academic and land-based learning, he encourages students to engage complex issues with curiosity, humility, and balanced judgement. He has taught at colleges and universities throughout British Columbia.

How to Register

UBC students interested in this course can register for it via Workday.
Non UBC students – please contact hg.institute@ubc.ca to register.