See what’s happening at UBC
June commemorates Indigenous History Month in Canada. The month encourages people to learn about, appreciate and acknowledge the rich history, heritage, resilience, contributions and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across the country.
Featured UBC Events
June 8, 2023 | 9 am – 3 pm
Hearing Indigenous Voices During the COVID-19 Pandemic
This dialogue session highlights the experiences and triumphs of Indigenous peoples around the world. The session will be an opportunity to discuss lessons learned about conducting research and Indigenous resilience during the pandemic with researchers based in Canada, the United States, and New Zealand.
June 13, 2023 | 12 – 1 pm
Revitalizing Indigenous language
Language is essential to cultural identity. The health of the Nsyilxcn language is linked to the wellbeing of the Okanagan Syilx people — and in healing from colonization. That’s why Dr. Jeannette Armstrong (LLD’06) has dedicated herself to recovering and improving access to the wealth of language knowledge in oral stories.
June 15, 2023 | 1 – 2 pm
CTLT Indigenous Initiatives Virtual Coffee Drop-in
Do you have questions about how to thoughtfully integrate Indigenous content and representation into your course work? Curious about how to offer meaningful land acknowledgements in online meetings or events at UBC? Indigenous Initiatives’ Virtual Coffee Drop-ins are great place to explore these topics, connect with others on the same learning path, or just get to know our team.
June 20, 2023 | 12 – 1:30 pm
Weaving Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being in Palliative Care
Speakers from Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s Ćećǝwǝt Lelǝm “Helping House” and Vancouver Coastal Health’s North Shore Palliative Care Program will join in circle for this session where we will discuss how to recognize and overcome barriers to palliative care for Indigenous People, what decolonizing palliative care means and the role of traditional values. All healthcare professionals are welcome!
June 21, 2023 | 1 – 3 pm
Weaving Relations Launch Event
Join us, along with guest speaker Chancellor Steven Point and other distinguished contributors, in celebrating the official launch of Weaving Relations, a course exploring Indigenous histories, people, and contexts, as well as settler colonialism in Canada, developed by the Faculty of Applied Science and the Faculty of Land and Food Systems.
UBC Okanagan Events
Interested in Indigenous History Month events happening at UBC’s Okanagan campus?
Visit https://events.ok.ubc.ca/indigenous-history-month/
Featured Community Events
June 8, 2023
Michelle Good: Truth Telling About Indigenous Life in Canada
When the time for apologies and acknowledgements is over, do you know what the real, necessary steps towards Truth and Reconciliation must be? In Truth Telling: Seven Conversations About Indigenous Life in Canada, award-winning author Michelle Good presents an essay collection that asks non-Indigenous Canadians to reconsider what they think they know about Indigenous life and to confront the human cost of colonialism.
June 16–18, 2023
POW WOW: Honouring our Fathers, Grandfathers, and Sons
Attend the first annual Honouring our Fathers, Grandfathers, and Sons Pow Wow, organized by the Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society. Gather on Father’s Day weekend to honour and uplift the men in our lives, and to support healing through culture, community, and coming together.
June 17, 2023 | 5:30 – 9 pm
Centering Indigenous Joy: A Celebration of Literature, Arts, and Creativity
Join us for a celebration of Indigenous storytelling, performance, and art, in recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day!
June 26, 2023 | 6 – 8:30 pm
Trailblazing Women in Canada: How We Changed It
In recognition of National Indigenous History Month, this storytelling event will showcase and celebrate Indigenous women who have met the challenge and made bold moves to make a positive change in STEAM and within the Indigenous community. Whether they are creating something new, calling attention to important issues, or educating and inspiring future generations.
Resources
UBC Resources
- Professional Development Opportunities
- Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre
- Indigenous Research Support Initiative
- Xwi7xwa Guide to Land Acknowledgements
- Acknowledging the Musqueam People at Ceremonies and Events
- Connecting Communities: Principles for Musqueam-UBC Collaboration, by Aaron Lao
- Okanagan campus Declaration of Truth and Reconciliation commitments
- Indigenous Foundations: histories, politics, cultures of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada
- Love, Land & Spirit podcast series
- UBC Learning Circle booklist
- Residential School Timeline
- Kamloops Residential School Timeline
- The Catholic Church and the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement
- Supporting the International Decade of Indigenous Languages
- 5 Arts courses you can take to learn about Indigenous history and culture
- It takes a community to motivate change
Community Resources
Background Information
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
- United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Coalition for the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples: resources
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Final Report
- Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples report
- FirstVoices: web-based tools and services designed to support Indigenous people engaged in language archiving, language teaching and culture revitalization
Reference and Style Guides
- Reporting in Indigenous Communities by Duncan McCue
- Elements of Indigenous Style: A Guide for Writing By and About Indigenous Peoples, by Gregory Younging
- Pronunciation Guide for Indigenous Communities in BC, compiled by Bannock and Butter
Land Acknowledgements
- Beyond territorial acknowledgments, by âpihtawikosisân (Chelsea Vowel)
- Native Land, a living resource to help identify territories, languages, and treaties
- Khelsilem’s Tips for Acknowledging Territory 1.0, by Khelsilem (Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh Úxwumixw)
Working Respectfully with Communities
- Why Aboriginal Peoples Can’t Just “Get Over It”, by Jeffrey J. Schiffer
- Settler Colonialism Primer, by Laura Hurwitz & Shawn Bourque
- Decolonizing practices, workshops designed by Michelle Lorna Nahanee, Squamish
- 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act, adapted from book by Bob Joseph
Other Resources
- Open online course on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
- First Peoples Law, a law firm dedicated to defending and advancing Indigenous Peoples’ Aboriginal title, rights and Treaty rights
- My Ally Bill of Responsibilities, by Lynn Gehl
- Unsettling the Settler Within: Indian Residential Schools, Truth Telling, and Reconciliation in Canada
Are you in a UBC department or student group planning an Indigenous History Month event?
Please connect with us to have your event considered for this page: info.events@ubc.ca.