Indigenous Resources


Core Concepts

A Beginner’s Guide to Decolonization
Kevin Lamoureux | TEDxSurrey

Decolonization is a word that is often met with resistance. Too often discussions about decolonization lead to unnecessary fear or hostility. There is another possibility. Decolonization can be an invitation for all Canadians to be a part of something good and to leave behind a better version of Canada for generations to come.

Decolonization Is for Everyone
Nikki Sanchez | TEDxSFU

“This history is not your fault, but it is absolutely your responsibility.” A history of colonization exists and persists all around us. Nikki discusses what colonization looks like and how it can be addressed through decolonization. An equitable and just future depends on the courage we show today. “Let’s make our grandchildren proud”.

Truth and Reconciliation
Kevin Lamoureux | TEDxUniversityofWinnipeg

Learn more about Truth, Reconciliation and Jordan’s Principle.

Reconciliation
REDI’s Word of the Month

Reconciliation is an ongoing commitment that requires action from each of us. Learn more about the meaning of reconciliation and concrete actions you can take individually and as a unit or department.


Indigenous Foundations

Weaving Relations
The Faculty of Applied Science and the Faculty of Land and Food Systems.

Weaving Relations is a self-directed course that explores Indigenous histories, people, and contexts, as well as settler colonialism in Canada, through the lens of Indigenous-Canadian relationships. The course considers how we got to where we are now, and how we can build a better future together.

Indigenous Foundations
UBC First Nations and Indigenous Studies

An information resource on key topics relating to the histories, politics, and cultures of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada.

Time and Place at UBC: Our Histories and Relations
Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology

A UBC-Aboriginal Timeline, documenting UBC’s key historical moments with Aboriginal peoples.


Language and Land Acknowledgements

Indigenous Peoples: Language Guidelines
UBC Brand

Refreshed Land Acknowledgments at UBC Course
This is part of the Indigenous Learning Pathways (ILP) program — a joint project between CTLT Indigenous Initiatives and HR Orientations & Onboarding

The refreshed Land Acknowledgments at UBC course is an updated resource for faculty and staff to enhance their learning and their practice of offering meaningful and accountable land acknowledgments in their role at UBC. The refreshed course includes new content, videos and activities, as well as a facilitation guide to continue the discussion and learning journey with colleagues.

Land/Territory Acknowledgement
UBC Faculty of Medicine Faculty Development

See: Land/Territory Acknowledgement. Doing a land/territory acknowledgement helps insert an awareness of indigenous presence and land rights in everyday life. This quick guide describes how to create and deliver a digital land/territory acknowledgement and why it is important to promote awareness. Using this resource will also help ensure that making a land/territory acknowledgement is a genuine and meaningful act.


Indigenizing Practice

NCIME Catalogue
The National Circle for Indigenous Medical Education (NCIME)

The NCIME Catalogue offers valuable tools to foster culturally safe and equitable medical education for Indigenous learners. It features guidelines on Indigenous student admissions, anti-racism strategies, curriculum enhancement, faculty recruitment, and Indigenous physician wellness, all aimed at advancing Indigenous medical education and leadership in health care.

Pulling Together: Foundations Guide
Kory Wilson and Colleen Hodgson (MNBC)

The Foundations Guide is part of an open professional learning series for staff across BC post-secondary institutions, developed through the Indigenization Project—a collaboration between BCcampus and the Ministry of Advanced Education with guidance from Indigenous education leaders and organizations. Alongside guides for leaders, curriculum developers, instructors, front-line staff, and researchers, this resource provides self-guided modules to support understanding and implementation of Indigenization and decolonization in post-secondary contexts.

Indigenous Health Rounds
The interCultural Online Health Network (iCON) & Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) Indigenous Health

These health rounds serve as a platform to bring Indigenous voices to health care providers, policy makers and health administrators for knowledge sharing, dialogue and brainstorming solutions to combat racism and foster culturally safe health care settings for Indigenous patients and families.

What I Learned in Class Today: Indigenous Issues in the Classroom
CTLT Indigenous Initiatives

Educational experiences and institutional responses to indigenous engagement in curriculum, pedagogy, and classroom climate at UBC.


Impacts of Colonialism on Indigenous Health

The Unforgotten
BUILD. Films and Networked Health

A five-part film exploring the health and well-being of Indigenous peoples living in Canada. The film is accompanied by an educational toolkit. Created by BUILD. Films and Networked Health, with funding and support from the Canadian Medical Association.

Intergenerational Trauma and the Impacts of Colonial History on the Health and Wellbeing of Indigenous People
VCH Aboriginal Health and UBC iCON (Department of Emergency Medicine)

Watch the recording of this virtual Indigenous Health Round with speakers from the UBC School of Nursing: Dr. Elder Roberta Price, an Elder Advisor and Research Partner from the Snuneymuxw and Cowichan Nations, and Dr. Colleen Varcoe, a professor and scholar of Indigenous (Cherokee) and immigrant (English) heritage. Topics discussed: the impacts of historical and ongoing colonialism and racism on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples in Canada, different forms of violence and the pathways of harm including stigma, discrimination, and epigenetics experienced by the Indigenous communities, and how healthcare providers could go beyond self reflection to create culturally and emotionally safe organizations and practices, and contribute to meaningful change in healthcare cultures.


Indigenous Strategic Plan

The Indigenous Strategic Plan: An Overview
UBC Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology

The Indigenous Strategic Plan (ISP) Implementation Toolkit
Office of Indigenous Strategic Initiatives

UBC units can use this set of tools to help situate themselves in relation to Indigenous engagement and to start aligning their work with the Indigenous Strategic Plan. The Toolkit includes the ISP Self-Assessment Tool, a Performance Measurement Framework, and more.


Reports

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

In order to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission makes 94 calls to action across a wide range of areas including child welfare, education, health, justice, language and culture.

The UBC Faculty of Medicine Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action
UBC Faculty of Medicine

Reckoning with the Truth, Working Together for a Better Future

In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care
Hon. Dr. M.E. Turpel-Lafond (Aki-Kwe) Independent Reviewer

Summary Report | Full Report