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番茄社区

Survivors' Flag

Raising of the Survivor's flag in the quad at Orange Shirt Day.

At the 2023 Orange Shirt Day event, Survivor and Elder, Kilth-wii-taa, Dr. Barney Williams from the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation gifted President Kevin Hall and UVic with a National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation . President Hall made a commitment to find a permanent home for the flag to serve as a memorial for individuals who have been harmed by residential schools. 

UVic installed a flagpole in the UVic Quad, close to the Mearns-McPherson Library and adjacent to the area where Orange Shirt Day ceremonies are held annually. Elder, May Sam and her son Scott Sam blessed the land prior to the flag pole’s installation.

On Sept. 27, 2024, the Survivors’ Flag was raised at a ceremony on campus by President Kevin Hall, Survivor and Elder, Kilth-wii-taa, Dr. Barney Williams, Qwul’sih’yah’maht, Dr. Robina Thomas, Vice-president Indigenous, and Mercedes Neasloss-Robinson.

215+ banners

Following the raising of the Survivors’ Flag, the 215+ banners—created by Hayalthkin’geme, Carey Newman and installed on campus in response to the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation’s discovery of more than 215 unmarked graves at the Kamloops Residential School site—will be taken down respectfully.

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close up of cedar branches

Territory acknowledgement

We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

Commitments

UVic pledges to uphold ʔetalnəw̓əl̓ | ÁTOL,NEUEL | respecting the rights of one another and being in right relationships with all things. We're working to foster truth, respect and mutual understanding with all Indigenous peoples and communities. This pledge reinforces UVic’s commitment to implement core local, national and international responsibilities and calls to action that support the rights and sovereignties of Indigenous Peoples—for example, UNDRIP, DRIPA, the MMIWG Report and the TRC Calls to Action. 

Distinctly UVic | A Strategy for the 番茄社区 | 2023 Forward is a call to live in right relationship, to exist sustainably and equitably and to use our experience and creativity to spark positive change. This strategy, together with Xʷkʷənəŋistəl | W̱ȻENEṈISTEL | Helping to Move Each Other Forward: UVic’s Indigenous Plan 2023 guides our path forward.

Supports

Our priority is to support Elders and Indigenous students, staff and faculty. Support for students, staff and faculty who have been impacted by the effects of residential schools can and should include the flexibility required to attend ceremonial and community needs, to grieve and support others in their lives. 
 
If you need emotional support, there are services available.