Aboriginal Engagement

The University engages Aboriginal people in mutually supportive and productive relationships, and works to integrate understandings of Indigenous cultures and histories into its curriculum and operations.

We are connected to this place …. We are the land, and the land is us.
Musqueam: A Living Culture

The promise of this place is made to us all. In respect of the Musqueam and Okanagan lands on which the University sits, and with all voices raised to tell a new story, UBC advances educational opportunities with and for Aboriginal people on its campuses and in the wider community.

In response to the expressed needs and aspirations of Aboriginal peoples, UBC engages in research and generates curricula across the University that respect, reflect, and include Aboriginal cultures, histories, and systems of knowledge. In both academics and operations, the University addresses issues of ignorance and misunderstanding resulting from the educational failures of the past.

The University strives to ensure that Aboriginal students, staff, and faculty find their perceptions and experiences echoed in the classroom, on campus, and among their peers. Out of an environment of opportunity and support emerge new Aboriginal role models who light the way for future generations of scholars and citizens.

The promise of this place is true in any language:
! (Musqueam)
(Okanagan)
Welcome.

Goal Expand educational opportunities for Aboriginal people and widen opportunities for all students to learn about Aboriginal issues and perspectives

Expand curriculum offerings focusing on Aboriginal issues and perspectives

• Work closely with Faculties to continue development of Aboriginal content in curricula (VPA, DVC)

Expand the professional development available to administrators, faculty, staff, and students in working productively with Aboriginal colleagues and discussing Aboriginal issues

• Continue building professional development opportunities and encourage wider participation through programs in the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology such as the Academic Leadership Development Program and Aboriginal programs (VPA, DVC, HR)

Increase hiring of highly qualified Aboriginal faculty and staff

• Encourage and support faculty initiatives to attract and retain highly qualified people (VPA, DVC)

Strengthen programs supporting the entry, academic success, social support and wellbeing of Aboriginal students

• Work with bands, educational counsellors and Aboriginal education authorities to support their efforts (VPA, DVC)
• Ensure that the Access Program at the Okanagan Campus, established in 2010, is under continuous review (DVC)
• Provide health and counselling services attentive to Aboriginal-centred models of health and wellbeing (VPS)
• Pilot a yearlong model of academic transition support through the Jumpstart model (VPS)

Create and support programs that help prepare Aboriginal students for post-secondary education

• Actively engage provincial and federal governments in advancing aboriginal education at all levels (VPA, DVC, VPCCP)

Goal Increase engagement and strengthen mutually supportive and productive relationships with Aboriginal communities

Develop critical community partnerships centered on initiatives of high value and priority for Aboriginal communities

• Explore and develop critical initiatives, including the possibility of a west coast node of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission National Research Centre (VPA, DVC)

Strengthen and expand research of benefit to Aboriginal communities developed with significant community collaboration

• Further develop support for community-based and Aboriginal research In collaboration with the VP Research’s Community-Based Research Task Force (VPA, DVC, VPRI)

Strengthen and expand student involvement in Aboriginal community-based research and service learning with Aboriginal organizations

• Increase the number of Service Learning Programs in schools associated with the Westbank First Nation (DVC)
• Continue collaborative research with Aboriginal communities and organizations in the Lower Mainland

Create venues for dialogue with Aboriginal communities, and the broader public, on significant issues

• Support Aboriginal Advisory Councils that provide a partnership pathway to aboriginal communities (VPA, DVC)

Provide faculty and staff with the means and professional development opportunities to effectively collaborate with Aboriginal individuals and communities

• Review existing funding opportunities and make recommendations on further requirements (VPA, DVC)