Reconciliation

Wilson Williams (Sxwíxwtn), a Squamish Nation councillor and spokesperson, will deliver the keynote address at VIU’s 2022 Indigenous Speakers Series event on November 29.

Wilson Williams (Sxwíxwtn) grew up without knowledge of his culture or history.

His parents, both residential school survivors, did not talk about any element of their First Nations background and it wasn’t until Sxwíxwtn was in his twenties that he began to get more connected to his Nation and cultural roots.

VIU’s campus in the qathet region will now be called tiwšɛmawtxw.

The Tla’amin Nation Executive Council has gifted Vancouver Island University (VIU) the name tiwšɛmawtxw (teew-shem- awt-xw), which means House of Learning, for its campus located in ɬaʔamɩn ʔəms gijɛ (Tla’amin Territory).  

The gift is in the spirit of decolonization and reconciliation. Following a renaming ceremony on September 20, 2022, VIU’s campus in the qathet region will now be called tiwšɛmawtxw and not by its colonial name.

What: The Future of Reconciliation in Canada: A VIU Conversation

When: Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 10-11:30 am 

Where: Online (Zoom webinar)

Reconciliation is a complex concept with a variety of definitions, meaning different things to different people, but one thing many agree upon is that for reconciliation to become a reality, significant structural and societal changes are needed.

Investment will enhance on-campus learning experience for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students

Indigenous students at Vancouver Island University (VIU) will soon have access to more space as Shq’apthut (A Gathering Place) is expanded at the Nanaimo campus.

The building is a home away from home for Indigenous students where cultural, academic, recreational and social activities are promoted and celebrated.

Cloy-e-iis, Dr. Judith Sayers, received a Talking Stick from UVic officials in a ceremony that followed Coast Salish protocol on March 24.

A Talking Stick gifted by University of Victoria officials to Vancouver Island University’s Chancellor, Cloy-e-iis, Dr. Judith Sayers, solidifies a longstanding relationship between the two institutions and reaffirms a mutual commitment to reconciliation.

Investigative reporter Connie Walker is the keynote speaker for VIU’s seventh annual Indigenous Speakers Series on November 22.

Connie Walker has devoted the past decade of her investigative journalism career to exposing the truth about the impacts of residential schools, and helping Indigenous people tell their own stories. 

Featuring works by Stz’uminus First Nation artist Daniel R. Elliott, the exhibit explores the impacts of colonization and how healing can be achieved.

­­Indigenous artist Daniel R. Elliott wants to take people on a healing journey. But first, he’s asking people to confront the history and impact of residential schools head on, and not look away.

Georgina Martin is the only BC representative to be elected to a national group responsible for providing direction on building mutually respectful relationships between Indigenous communities and researchers.

Dr. Georgina Martin, a VIU Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies Professor, has been elected to a newly established, national group for the culturally appropriate review of Indigenous research and is the sole BC representative.