Learning Lingít helped UBC student to discover her history
When the Tlingit community adopted UBC student Éedaa Heather Burge, she was brought in from the cold. Studying the language in Juneau, Alaska, that could be taken literally, but the Lingít phrase for adoption ‘A tóot ajeewatán’ means to take someone’s hand and bring them inside. Her adoptive mother and teacher, Elder G̱uneiwtí Marsha Hotch, […]
Language revitalization as a site for reconciliation
Language revitalization could serve as a site for reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the town of Kapuskasing. That’s according to Language Sciences affiliate member, UBC Interdisciplinary Studies alumna and University of Western Ontario doctoral student Ricki-Lynn Achilles, who is working with Terrence Sutherland, Kapuskasing Friendship Centre cultural resource coordinator, to run a language […]
Musqueam art installation on campus
Ten cast bronze pieces created by Musqueam artist Brent Sparrow, collectively known as ʔəlqsən (Point Grey), were recently installed on concrete pillars lining the walkway separating the UBC Bus Exchange from the new MacInnes Field. ʔəlqsən is the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word for ‘point of land’, “Point Grey” is the English designation for a major point of […]
UBC welcomes Bernard C. Perley as new Director of the Institute for Critical Indigenous Studies
Dr. Bernard C. Perley is an Indigenous anthropologist and leading scholar in the field of language revitalization. The University of British Columbia welcomes Dr. Bernard C. Perley as the new Director of the Institute for Critical Indigenous Studies (CIS) in the Faculty of Arts. An Indigenous anthropologist and leading scholar in the field of language […]
New UBC chair seeks to improve cancer outcomes and wellness among Indigenous peoples
Dr. Nadine Caron — Canada’s first female First Nations general surgeon — has been appointed to a newly created UBC position dedicated to improving cancer outcomes and wellness among Indigenous peoples. As the founding First Nations Health Authority Chair (FNHA) in Cancer and Wellness at UBC, Caron will examine the journeys and unique needs of […]
Open Letter: Reconciliation Pole vandalized on eve of second anniversary
April 1, 2019 – Today is the second anniversary of the installation of the Reconciliation Pole, carved by 7idansuu (Edenshaw), James Hart, Haida Hereditary Chief and Master Carver. On this day two years ago, as many may recall, the event began with dark clouds overhead but then ended under a clear blue sky as the […]
AMS apologizes to Indigenous peoples
Last month, UBC Alma Mater Society President Marium Hamid delivered an apology to Indigenous peoples during a meeting with Indigenous students at the First Nations Longhouse. AMS expressed on behalf of 56,000 current undergraduate and graduate students of the University of British Columbia its “profound regret” for not making “serious efforts to advance reconciliation or […]
UBC apologizes to Indian residential school survivors at centre opening
April 18, 2018 – Last week, on April 9th, more than 1000 people gathered inside and outside of a protective rain shelter to witness the opening of the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre, which also included UBC President Santa J. Ono apologizing to survivors of Indian residential schools for the university’s involvement in […]