FNHA 300 - Understanding Treaties and the Medicine Chest Clause

FNHA 300: UNDERSTANDING TREATIES AND THE MEDICINE CHEST CLAUSE
3 CREDITS

This course examines Treaties in what is now Canada, especially Treaty 6’s Medicine Chest Clause, as living legal, political, and ethical commitments. Students will analyze historical context, Treaty text and intent, interpretive canons, and key legal/policy developments shaping health services for First Nations. Emphasis is placed on how Treaty-affirmed obligations inform contemporary policy (e.g., Jordan’s Principle), program design, funding, and accountability. Drawing on Elders’ teachings, community perspectives, and rights-based frameworks, learners will build practical skills to evaluate and craft policies that better align with Treaty promises and Indigenous self-determination. Weekly journaling deepens students’ reflection and analysis, while a midterm interview anchors learning in real-world perspectives.