Derek Thompson – Thlaapkiituup is an advisor in the Faculty of Medicine Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (REDI). Thlaapkiituup is from the diitiidʔaaʔtx̣ – Ditidaht First Nation, one of fourteen Nuuchahnulth Nations on the west coast of Vancouver Island. As the REDI Indigenous Advisor, Derek provides leadership and support across the Faculty to help create and sustain learning and work environments that incorporate standards of cultural safety and humility and that are free from Indigenous specific racism and discrimination. Derek promotes inclusion of an Indigenous perspective in all Faculty initiatives. Derek also works closely with the Director, Indigenous Engagement to implement the Faculty’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action in a way that will best support the formal commitments made to Indigenous peoples for a better and just future. This important work will also create opportunities for students, staff and faculty to engage with Indigenous people and communities in meaningful ways, and to begin anew the creation of redressing what we believe ourselves to be – as Indigenous peoples, and as Canadians.
Email: indigenousinitiatives.advisor@ubc.ca
Read a Message from the Indigenous Advisor
Indigenous Stories and Events
- Transformation, Inspiration and Guidance: Celebrating 20 Years of Indigenous Excellence in Medicine
Watch the recording for a conversation with James Andrew, a member of Lil’wat Nation’s Mount Currie Band and Associate Director of Indigenous Initiatives at the Faculty of Medicine. James Andrew has been a source of inspiration and guidance in helping to create and transform the UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Indigenous MD Admissions Pathway. - The Men We Need To Become
In recognition of the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people, Derek Thompson – Thlaapkiituup, Indigenous Advisor, reflects on his Grandmother’s legacy and the journey through personal and transformative changes. - IBPOC Voices: A Conversation with Jorden Hendry
Watch a recording for a conversation with Jorden Hendry. Jorden is Tsimshian/settler and a member of the Lax Kw’alaams band. As a PhD student in the School of Population and Public Health, Jorden studies Indigenous Public Health and the systems that drive health disparities. - UBC 23 24 Indigenous Cultural Safety: Creating Excellence in the Arenas of Truth, Reconciliation and Academia
Watch the recording for this Indigenous Speakers Series session with Dr. Nadine Caron, Dr. Gwendolyn Point and Courtney Smith to learn more about the work of cultural safety, cultural humility, and the broader work in regards to the recommendations from In Plain Sight, Truth and Reconciliation, and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan. - Laxgalts’ap Village of Nisga’a Nation marks the start of Hoobiyee celebrations with traditional totem pole raising on the morning of Friday Feb. 24
Hoobiyee is when the Nisga’a Nation marks a new season of harvest beginning with the arrival of saak, a breed of oolichan fish that is a staple of the traditional Nisga’a diet. - You Are On Indian Land: Crossing the Borders of Truth, Reconciliation and Redress
Watch the recording of “You Are On Indian Land: Crossing the Borders of Truth, Reconciliation and Redress.” In this event, we had a conversation with Grand Chief Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell of the Mohawks of Akwesasne, and director of You Are On Indian Land and we learnt more about the broader reach of truth, reconciliation and redress.