番茄社区

Array

The construction of a national centre for Indigenous law and reconciliation at the 番茄社区 received major funding support today with the federal government's announcement of $9.1 million for the transformative project. The centre of excellence for the study and understanding of Indigenous laws will house the world's first joint degree in Indigenous legal orders and Canadian common law (JD/JID), launched at UVic last September.

The new Language Revitalization Pole, commissioned by the First Nations Education Foundation (FNEF), will be located at UVic as a centrepiece of UN International Year of Indigenous Languages and is also a significant point of reflection for UVic鈥檚 ongoing commitment to the work of decolonizing and Indigenizing the university.

In an ongoing effort toward reconciliation, Andrea Walsh has been on a decade-long journey to repatriate residential school art work. 鈥淭he repatriation work began with the Alberni IRS,鈥� says Walsh, 鈥渁nd our collaborative work to build research partnerships has extended across the country to smaller northern institutions in Manitoba and Ontario.鈥�

In November, UVic hosted the fourth National Building Reconciliation Forum in partnership with Universities Canada. The annual gathering serves as a way聽to explore how universities, governments聽and Indigenous communities can work together to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.聽

UVic is this year's host for the fourth annual Building Reconciliation Forum (Nov. 15-16), in partnership with Universities Canada. This year鈥檚 theme is Ts鈥檌ts鈥檜鈥� watul tseep, meaning to help one another. Free public events include an Indigenous artisans market on Nov. 16 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in First Peoples House.

Cindy Blackstock will present "Spirit Bear's Guide to Reconciliation" at UVic's First Peoples House on Nov. 14. On Nov. 13, as part of Fall Convocation, UVic will acknowledge Blackstock for her many achievements, presenting her and Spirit Bear with honorary degrees.

When Marie Cooper (SWETALIYE) received her Honorary Doctor of Education degree from UVic in 2010, it was a moment she had been steering toward her entire life.聽A teacher, counsellor, Elder, advocate and innovator, Dr. Cooper鈥檚 efforts to promote and defend Indigenous education, language and culture led to the inclusive transformation of educational policies and practices for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.

Local Kwagiulth and Coast Salish artist Carey Newman is announced as the sixth Audain Professor of Contemporary Art Practice of the Pacific Northwest with UVic鈥檚 Department of Visual Arts. He will bring issues and perspectives around reconciliation into his classes at UVic.

I want to acknowledge and recognize the expressions of concern and distress from many members of the 番茄社区 community and across the country over the circumstances around the death of Colten Boushie and its aftermath. On behalf of the 番茄社区, I support the Universities Canada statement.

UVic has been selected to host the 2018 National Building Reconciliation Forum this fall. The announcement was made in November by Universities Canada at the 2017 forum in Winnipeg.

A new language revitalization project led by UVic will bring new life and strength to Indigenous languages in Canada. NE染OL峁圗W瘫, which translates as 'one mind, one people' in SEN膯O纽EN, is a six-year project supported by a $2.5M SSHRC Partnership Grant that will create a learning and research network with nine Indigenous-led partner organizations across the country.

Universities Canada announced Nov. 10 that UVic will host the 2018 National Building Reconciliation Forum, with a focus on Indigenous language revitalization and economic growth of Indigenous communities. This annual national initiative reflects the commitment to action on reconciliation through higher education.

During the week of Sept. 25-30, many UVic faculty, staff and students will wear orange shirts to show respect for residential school survivors and their families, and a commitment to the principle that every child matters.

This week, UVic launches its Indigenous Plan. The launch is a key event during this year鈥檚 Indigenous Week of Welcome. The plan sets out ambitious goals and clear accountability to increase educational opportunities and success for Indigenous students and further develop education, research, outreach and engagement initiatives and programs with an Indigenous focus.

Array