Indigenous Communication & Fine Arts

Indigenous Communication Arts

Indigenous Communication Arts (INCA) specializes in journalism and public relations. The program is focused on an introduction to the field of media. Students studying Indigenous Communication Arts will have the opportunity to improve their interpersonal skills, public speaking skills, and learn about other disciplines and cultures in an exciting hands-on atmosphere. 

INCA offers a two-year diploma program that prepares students to work in the communications industry, including Indigenous and mainstream media (print, broadcast, and web), and public relations. The two-year diploma is a 72-credit-hour program (24 classes). Beyond journalism classes, the INCA program requires courses in Indian history and politics, oral traditions, community-based research, business management, traditional and contemporary communication systems, languages, and art. 

Indigenous Journalism and Communication Arts Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation

Reconciliation is embedded throughout the Indigenous Journalism and Communication Arts programs. 

Beyond the one-year 30-credit-hour certificate designed specifically for Indigenous students to work in Indigenous organizations, INCA offers the following programs:

A two-year diploma program that prepares students for entry-level work in the communications industry, including Aboriginal and mainstream media (print, broadcast, and web), and public relations. The two-year diploma is a 72-credit-hour program (24 classes). Beyond journalism classes, the INCA program requires courses in Indian history and politics, oral traditions, community-based research, business management, traditional and contemporary communication systems, strategic communication planning, languages and art.

A four-year Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Journalism and Communication Arts, for students seeking a long-term career in journalism and communications. The degree program, which begins in September 2024, will be the first of its kind in North America, offering a full degree credential within an Indigenous-led learning environment, with a focus on understanding Indigenous issues and languages in addition to advanced media skills. 

A two-year Bachelor of Indigenous Journalism and Communication Arts provides an accelerated path to our degree program for students who already have a B.A. 

Call to Action # 86

We call upon Canadian journalism programs and media schools to require education for all students on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. 

Mandatory Course: Yes. Multiple courses

INCA 100 3:3-1 Introduction to Indigenous Communication Arts An introduction to multimedia storytelling for Indigenous media. Students will sharpen their media literacy in a digital universe, learn protocols for respectful inquiry, and develop skills in interviewing, research, narrative structures and multi-platform technical production for Indigenous media organizations and audiences. 

INCA 200 6:0-0 INCA Summer Institute in Journalism This The INCA Summer Institute is an intensive 7-week course that provides instruction and practical experience to prepare students for entry level positions in print, online, radio and television media organizations. Students complete daily and weekly assignments and are trained by professional Indigenous journalists from Indigenous and mainstream media. 

INCA 210 3:3-0 Respectful and Ethical Journalism and Communications. Core ethical foundations for the practice of decolonized journalism and communications. Cultural protocols, trauma-informed reporting, implicit bias, working with vulnerable populations, and other issues in daily practice. Rights and responsibilities of professional journalists and communicators in Customary and Canadian law. 

INCA 283 3:3-0 Indigenous Media in Canada Students review Indigenous media in Canada, the legislative and policy developments that have impacted communication, and the role in Indigenous media in constituting alternative public spheres of discourse. Topics include early newspaper publishing, Indigenous language radio and developments in television broadcasting that culminated with the creation of APTN. 

INCA 284 3:3-0 Managing Indigenous Media Businesses Students consider a variety of Indigenous media organizations with the goal of understanding how various forms of business—private for profit, non-profit, cooperatives and quasi-public organizations—are financed and managed. Students will come to appreciate the challenges and opportunities of managing media businesses. 

INCA 290 6:0-0 INCA Internship The INCA internships follow the INCA Summer Institute and allow students to continue their training and gain practical experience in a supervised work experience in mainstream or Indigenous media and communication organizations. Students must complete a minimum of 200 hours of work experience. 

INCA 351 3:3-3 Radio Production In this course, students will learn theory and skills of storytelling and audio production to produce the elements of a radio program, including documentary paks, talk tapes, interviews, soundscapes and voicers. Students will also learn how to combine these elements with music to create radio broadcasts and podcasts. 

INCA 392 3:3-0 Seminar: Colonial and Anti-Colonial Frames in the Contemporary News Media. An historical overview of the media’s role in advancing the colonial project, and critical examination of colonial frames in contemporary news media, including anti-colonial critiques and media alternatives.

INCA 400 9:9-0 Advanced Institute in Journalism and Knowledge Transfer. Through intensive experiential learning, students will master in-depth journalistic storytelling techniques. They will also explore practices for sharing media and communication skills with others. 

INCA 490 6:6-0. Advanced Internship. The Advanced Internship will provide opportunities and mentorship for students to practice journalism and communications at an advanced level through mentored internship placements, learning and performing activities such as in-depth journalism, investigative research, strategic planning, market research, or other high-level activities. Students complete a minimum of 200 hours of work.

ADMIN 225 First Nations Economic Development 

ADMIN 245 Introduction to Strategic Communications for Indigenous Organizations

ADMON 345 Strategic Communications Planning for Indigenous Organizations

Indigenous Journalism and Communication Arts Commitment to Call to Action # 86: 5 out of 5 = 100%

1	The history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools
Yes – see program and course descriptions above
2	The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Yes. Not explicitly referenced but assumed covered by some of the course above
3	Treaties and Aboriginal rights
Yes – see program and course descriptions above
4	Indigenous law
Yes – see program and course descriptions above
5	Aboriginal–Crown Relations
Yes – see program and course descriptions above

Land Acknowledgement

The Indigenous Journalism and Communications website (INCA) acknowledges that First Nations University is located on Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 territory. 

NOTE: All content has been submitted to the respective faculty for validation to ensure accuracy and currency as of the time of posting. The First Nations University of Canada – Indigenous Communication & Fine Arts DID NOT RESPOND to any of the multiple Indigenous Watchdog inquiries. Managing Editor: Douglas Sinclair: Publisher, Indigenous Watchdog Lead Researcher, Timothy Maton, Ph.D