Program Overview

Introduction to the Program

The University of British Columbia's Faculty of Land and Food Systems has partnered with the Ustlahn's Social Society, Squamish First Nation, to offer a community-based experiential learning field course. This course, APBI 497B, is designed to facilitate training in interdisciplinary and interprofessional community-based experiential learning to students interested in working with Aboriginal people.

Course Details

Course Structure

The course will consist of one week of interdisciplinary classroom and field instruction at UBC, followed by two weeks of community-based experiential learning hosted by the Ustlahn's Social Society at Squamish First Nation. The field module will provide students with an opportunity to work alongside community members in advancing current food security initiatives, including estuary restoration and conservation, and the re-establishment of indigenous foods and medicines.

Course Topics

The course topics will include:

• Urban food security
• Ethnobotany
• Conservation biology
• Aboriginal health research ethics
• Sustainability
• Restoration
• Environment and culture

This course is designed to enhance skills to reflect upon, recognize, and build on community assets and priorities, and to demonstrate effective engagement in collaborative work with Aboriginal communities.

Program Requirements

• Pre-requisites: None
• Cost: Students are responsible for their own transportation and food.

Program Description

The course will make use of inter-professional approaches to learning, inclusive of traditional knowledge, social participation and action, and community-driven solutions to explore new possibilities for sustainable food production in urban settings. This course will be of interest to students wishing to improve their understanding of Aboriginal issues and perspectives, and to students seeking practical experiential learning in Aboriginal communities.

Additional Information

The course, APBI 497B, is a 3-credit course offered in Term 1, with a duration of June 4th – 22nd. The course will be taught by Dr. Eduardo Jovel, and will be held at the UBC Centre for Sustainable Food Systems (UBC Farm) and the Squamish First Nation (North Vancouver).