ImagineNATIVE Festival
ImagineNATIVE Festival is a film, media and arts festival that is will be fully online this year. It will be available worldwide from October 20–October 25. ImagineNATIVE is usually held live in Toronto, but not this year, because, well, you know—COVID-19. In this case though, there is a huge silver lining. For the first time, … Continued
Is “A New Future for Old Growths” Possible?
Most Vancouver Island residents will remember the War in the Woods some 27 years ago. It was an environmental movement that saw 12,000 people show up to the rugged coast of Vancouver Island in one of the largest acts of civil disobedience Canada has ever seen. Around 1000 people were arrested trying to stop the … Continued
The Importance of Increasing Indigeneity at VIU
With everything that has happened so far in 2020—the pandemic, a steep rise in awareness about systemic racism, alarming weather events due to climate change, among many others—it’s clear the need for diversity in leadership to combat these issues is crucial. And, not just at a federal level, but in every institution. One thing that’s … Continued
Awards Honour Legacy of VIU Alum Micah Messent
The family of Micah Messent, a VIU graduate who passed away in a plane crash last spring, is honouring his memory through a set of two awards that will support Indigenous students in need. Messent, who graduated from Georges P. Vanier Secondary School in Courtenay in 2013 and from VIU in 2018 with a Bachelor … Continued
The Promised Land: In Search of Freedom, Prosperity, and #LandBack for Indigenous Peoples
A VIU media release has relayed that Max FineDay, Executive Director of the Canadian Roots Exchange, will be offering his unique perspective on reconciliation as a guest speaker at VIU’s fifth annual Indigenous Speakers Series. The event is to be held on Monday, November 25, from 7 pm – 9 pm, in the Malaspina theatre … Continued
Eliot White-Hill: A Snuneymuxw success story
Eliot White-Hill’s family has been engaged with the Snuneymuxw community for generations. His great-grandmother, Dr. Ellen White, was a life-long advocate and teacher, and an Elder-in-Residence at VIU for thirteen years. She and his great-grandfather, Chief Doug White I, worked together to advance Indigenous rights and combat social inequality. His grandmother, Joyce White, was instrumental … Continued
VIU’s new Elders-In-Residence
Nanaimo Campus’s Elders-In-Residence Program welcomes Maxine Hayman Matilpi (Lakwa) and Barney Williams (Klith-wii-taa) to the team. Elders-In-Residence programs can be found in universities across the country. VIU’s program has run since the 1990s, starting at the Cowichan Campus. At VIU, Elders can be found in roles that encompass student support, classroom instruction, teaching traditional protocols, … Continued
UVIC hosts Building Reconciliation Forum
Back in September, I joined a VIU dialogue group to discuss Indigenous perspectives in post-secondary education. The group is composed of 10 Indigenous students, five domestic non-Indigenous students, five international students, and various VIU faculty members and elders. The focus of the group is exploring what issues exist for Indigenous learners and what we as … Continued
Sisters in Spirit
In many traditional Indigenous beliefs, the spirits of missing and murdered women are lost and trying to find their way back home. Every year, candlelight vigils are held across Canada for these Indigenous women and girls, on—or as near as possible to—October 4. Vancouver Island University’s Student Union hosted this year’s ceremony at Shq’apthut (the … Continued
New VIU counselor focuses on Indigenous students
Above: Noelle Hanuse, who is from the Oweekeno and Klahoose First Nations, is the latest member of VIU’s Counseling Services team. 📷 VIU Communications By Jenn McGarrigle, VIU Communications Noelle Hanuse is on a quest – to reach out to Indigenous students at Vancouver Island University (VIU); those who may not be aware of the counselling services … Continued
First Nations studies plan to change name to Indigenous studies
By contributor Spencer Sheehan-Kalina VIU’s Faculty of First Nations Studies announced to students that it will be changing its name to Indigenous Studies. Keith Smith, a professor who teaches First Nations Studies introductory courses, explained “the initial impetus behind it is that First Nations can been seen as fairly exclusive; the term doesn’t include Métis, Inuit … Continued
The Truth in Reconciliation
Above: An honouring ceremony for the Snuneymuxw people last year at VIU. By Lori Shwydky Last week, the “Indigenous Survivance: The Truth in Reconciliation” event was held on campus by my class, Health and Human Services 263 (HHS 263): Elder Teachings Across Disciplines, with instructors John Swift and VIU Elder Geraldine Manson. I used to think … Continued
Prayer pole and warrior canoe raised in memory of Coast Salish veterans
By contributor Dane Gibson Following a history-making event last November honouring Coast Salish veterans from both sides of the border, VIU today raised a veterans’ prayer pole and warrior canoe in remembrance of Coast Salish veterans who served their countries. The veteran’s prayer pole will have a permanent home at the south entrance of VIU’s … Continued
Contest to give voice to Aboriginal writers
In Our Own Voice is an anthology series that publishes fiction written by Aboriginal writers from BC. The 2015 edition of the book featured writers from grades eight through 12, and Rebel Mountain Press and the Vancouver Island Regional Library have now announced a writing contest for 2016. The contest is open to Aboriginal writers—as … Continued