Indigenous Governance (MA)
Gain governance and leadership skills with our Master of Arts in Indigenous Governance program. This program is known globally for its accountability and relevance to Indigenous communities.
Our 2-year degree combines community-engaged learning with strong mentorship. In your first year, you will complete in-person coursework as a cohort. In your second year, you will complete either a community governance project or a thesis, followed by an oral defence.
| Expected length | Project or thesis | Course-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2 years | Yes | No |
Quick facts
- Program options:
- Master's
- Study options:
- Full-time study
- Program delivery:
- On-campus
- Dynamic learning:
- Other: Land-based and community research
Outcomes
Through your studies, you will:
- engage with Indigenous ways of knowing and being
- explore governance, nationhood and self-determination
- develop governance, leadership and research skills
- learn from diverse perspectives and knowledge systems
- prepare for leadership roles and future academic study
Find a supervisor
You do not need to choose a supervisor when applying. You will be assigned a temporary supervisor before being matched with a permanent supervisor after 2 terms.
Devi Dee Mucina
Professor
Gina Starblanket
Associate Professor Indigenous political life, decolonization, gender, Indigenous feminism, treaty implementation, relationality
Heidi Kiiwetinepinesiik Stark
Professor Indigenous political life, decolonization, gender, Indigenous feminism, treaty implementation, relationality
Hōkūlani Aikau
Director, Graduate Advisor Contemporary Native Hawaiian identity & politics, Indigenous resurgence & climate change in the Pacific, Indigenous environmental justice, Native feminist theory, American race relations
Michaela McGuire
Assistant Professor Decolonization, racism, genocide, state crime, resurgence, Indigenous and Nation-based justice and governance
Tory čınus (Johnston)
Assistant Professor Indigenous sound and music, Coast Salish studies, Indigenous governance, sound and media, intertribal music practices
Program details
Providing you accurate admission requirements, application deadlines, tuition fee estimates and scholarships depends on your situation. Tell us about yourself:
Program details
Application deadlines
Apply by January 15 for September entry and to be considered for a UVic Fellowship.
Apply by January 15 for September entry and to be considered for a UVic Fellowship.
Admission requirements
- A baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an institution recognized by UVic.
- A minimum B+ academic standing in the final two years of your undergraduate degree.
If your first language is not English, you must provide proof of language proficiency. Learn more about language requirements, including allowable exemptions and tests.
Review our general admission requirements for more information.
Program specific requirements
As part of your application, you must submit:
- A cover letter
- Your CV
- Two letters of reference submitted during the application process
- A two-page statement of intent that covers why you wish to participate in this program. It should also indicate your specific areas of research and academic interest
- A sample of academic writing in English. This sample should demonstrate your ability to produce high-quality work that:
- analyzes and interrogates a particular issue relevant to Indigenous Nationhood
- reaches beyond the limits of a single discipline
All applicants are normally expected to have some background in Indigenous Governance, politics, law or other related experience.
- A baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an institution recognized by UVic.
- A minimum B+ academic standing in the final two years of your undergraduate degree.
If your first language is not English, you must provide proof of language proficiency. Learn more about language requirements, including allowable exemptions and tests.
Review our general admission requirements for more information.
Program specific requirements
As part of your application, you must submit:
- A cover letter
- Your CV
- Two letters of reference submitted during the application process
- A two-page statement of intent that covers why you wish to participate in this program. It should also indicate your specific areas of research and academic interest
- A sample of academic writing in English. This sample should demonstrate your ability to produce high-quality work that:
- analyzes and interrogates a particular issue relevant to Indigenous Nationhood
- reaches beyond the limits of a single discipline
All applicants are normally expected to have some background in Indigenous Governance, politics, law or other related experience.
Completion requirements
View the minimum course requirements for this program.
View the minimum course requirements for this program.
Funding & aid
Tuition & fees
Estimated minimum program cost*
* Based on an average program length. For a per term fee breakdown view the tuition fee estimator.
Estimated values determined by the tuition fee estimator shall not be binding to the University of Victoria.
Ready to apply?
You can start your online application to UVic by creating a new profile or using an existing one.
Faculties & departments
Related programs
Need help?
Contact Akgozel Karyyeva at igov@uvic.ca or 250-721-6438.