Skip to main contentSkip Navigation or Skip to Content
Thompson Rivers University
Thompson Rivers University

ECON 2631: Topics in Indigenous Economics

Students investigate topics related to Indigenous self-governance and economic development in Canada, New Zealand, United States and Australia. Topics include the economic rationale for implementing Indigenous government and jurisdiction ; the economic explanation for income differences for Indigenous groups and; the emerging Indigenous public sector; market failures and successes of First Nations & Indigenous communities; approaches to First Nations & Indigenous economic development; and Indigenous and other policy initiatives to improve Indigenous economies; and design Indigenous governments to support sustainable economies.

Learning outcomes

Successful completion of this course will enable students to:

  • Discuss the First Nations public sector and its relationship with the other public sectors in Canada, United States, New Zealand and Australia.
  • Describe how economic theory can be applied to Indigenous economic development.
  • Explain the economic rationale and feasibility for implementing Indigenous rights and title.
  • Apply the concept of market failure to Indigenous economies.
  • Compare and contrast the cost of doing business on and off Indigenous lands.
  • Describe the economic explanations for income disparities among Indigenous groups in in Canada, New Zealand, United States and Australia.
  • Discuss different approaches to build Indigenous governments that support and facilitate economic development.

Course topics

Module 1: Introduction to Canadian Aboriginal Peoples and Their Communities

Module 2: Public Sector in Canada and Public Sector of First Nations

Module 3: Overview of First Nations Economies

Module 4: Introduction to Urban and Regional Economics

Module 5: How Markets Work and the Implications of Market Failure

Module 6: Economic Development on First Nations Lands

Required text and materials

There is no required textbook for this course.

Additional requirements

A computer with Internet access is required.

Assessments

Please be aware that should your course have a final exam, you are responsible for the fee to the online proctoring service, ProctorU, or to the in-person approved Testing Centre. Please contact exams@tru.ca with any questions about this.

To successfully complete the course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course and 50% on the final mandatory exam.

Quiz 1 5%
Quiz 2 5%
Quiz 3 5%
Quiz 4 5%
Quiz 5 5%
Journal 10%
Major Project 40%
Final Exam (mandatory) 25%
Total 100%

Open Learning Faculty Member Information

An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.

Search To Top