Unlearning colonial ways is a journey with many steps. For the University of Victoria, those next steps are grounded in language and ancestral teachings-guided by Indigenous communities-to ensure the work is done in a good way.
Today, UVic launches Xwkw’n?n ist’l Helping to move each other forward: UVic’s Indigenous Plan. With local Indigenous teachings and L?kw’n?n and SENCOTEN language woven throughout, this new plan proposes a fundamental rethinking of the institution’s approach to learning and work.
Changes are happening in our time. When a pebble is thrown into water, we see its ripples grow into waves. It used to be that kids were dragged to school-now they’re running ahead of their parents to get to school. Their teachers did something to excite them about knowledge, awakening a feeling of initiative and excitement to learn, and it’s spreading. Walls are coming down between students and administration here, where we are energized by belonging here.
-Songhees Elder Dr. Skip Dick wrote in his words of welcome.
Working in consultation with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, students, staff, faculty and community members, Xwkw’n?n ist’l Helping to move each other forward was shaped in tandem with Distinctly UVic , the institution’s new strategic plan. Both envision a future where ways of knowing, being and learning are embedded into UVic’s programs, systems and organizational structure. Local Indigenous languages and teachings are used instead of settler terminology as the foundation of these plans.
Many have commented about the unique process UVic undertook to develop these plans, which weave local Indigenous teachings to guide the university’s future. I hold my hands up to all those who contributed to the development of Xwkw’n?n ist’l Helping to move each other forward.
-Qwul’sih’yah’maht, Robina Thomas, UVic vice-president Indigenous
Central to the plan are Skwe’s Be prepared for the work to come
The SENCOTEN name of the Indigenous Plan was shared by J,SINTEN, Dr. John Elliott (Tsartlip First Nation) and translated into L?kw’n?n by Seniemten, Dr. Elmer George (Songhees Nation). For pronunciations, visit www.uvic.ca/ovpi/language.
The plan reinforces UVic’s commitment to implement responsibilities and calls to action from all levels of government in support of the rights and sovereignties of Indigenous Peoples, including the BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA Act).
"UVic has a responsibility to recognize and respond to the historical and present-day colonial realities that shape our relationships with the local Nations and their laws, lands and waters," said Kevin Hall, president of the University of Victoria. "We have pledged to hold ourselves accountable to ’etal n’w?l
ÁTOL,NEUEL by respecting the rights of one another, being in right relationship with all things, and by upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples."
Xwkw’n?n ist’l Helping to move each other forward: UVic’s Indigenous Plan online or explore the work UVic is doing in a good way at www.uvic.ca/worktogether.-- 30 -
A media kit containing high resolution photos is available on Dropbox.
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Keywords: community , Indigenous , diversity , human rights , reconciliation , administrative , staff and faculty
People: Qwul’sih’yah’maht , Robina Thomas , Kevin Hall , Dr. Skip Dick
