Program Overview

Program Overview

The University of Waterloo offers a unique course, SCI 211: Traditional Medicines Land-Based Field Course, which provides students with the opportunity to connect with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and broaden their understanding of scientific perspectives and practice.

Course Description

This in-person course is taught at a traditional teaching lodge with Anishinaabe Knowledge Keepers using an on-the-land experiential learning model. Students will learn about medicines and traditional healing, and engage with the Indigenous learning principles of seeing, knowing, and connecting with the world around them.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• recognize the value of exchange of ideas and perspectives
• explain the importance of Indigenous practices of science
• describe the relationship between medicines and their uses

Course Details

• Dates: May 5th to 8th, 2026 (four days)
• Registration: Register during course selection for Winter 2026 (September 19–29, 2025) or for Spring 2025 (late January)
• Cost: $500 per student, which includes food, accommodation, and transportation

Course Requirements

• Delivery mode is blended (asynchronous content will be made available in April prior to the in-person dates)
• Land-based activities will require students to remain on the land for the entire four days
• Attendance of all land-based events is mandatory
• Students will be making daily logbook reflections
• Students will be answering questions about their lessons and interacting with local instructors in discussion circles
• Students must receive a passing grade in all assessment categories
• Final grades will be recorded as Credit Received (CR) or No Credit Received (NCR)

Eligibility

• Students must be in 2A or above to enroll in SCI 211
• SCI 211 is currently only available to students enrolled in the Faculty of Science
• Priority enrollment will be given to those who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit, but students do not need to be Indigenous to participate in this course

Assessment

• Students will be evaluated by Elders and Indigenous instructors
• Students will participate in daily logbook reflections and discussion circles
• Final grades will be based on assessment categories, including participation, logbook reflections, and discussion circle engagement

Program Goals

The University of Waterloo aims to bridge the work done on campus with the history of the land it is built on, fostering a personal connection to the territorial acknowledgments. This course is part of the university's active work toward reconciliation, which takes place across campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building.