News Stories
In Search of the Promised Land: Freedom, Prosperity and #Landback for Indigenous Peoples
November 6, 2019
Max FineDay, Executive Director of the Canadian Roots Exchange, will share his perspective on what reconciliation looks like during VIU’s fifth annual Indigenous Speakers Series on Monday, November 25. When Max FineDay graduated from university in 2015, his grandmother sat him down and told him he had a duty to explain Indigenous peoples to the rest of Canada by telling the kinds of... Read more
EleV Learning Partnership Continues to Grow
September 18, 2019
An innovative learning partnership headquartered at VIU is starting to take root. It’s been two years since EleV, a collaboration between VIU and Indigenous communities that is supported by the Mastercard Foundation, launched. The program, which aims to boost the number of Indigenous youth accessing post-secondary education, provides scholarships; wraparound supports such as Indigenous Education... Read more
Two VIU Academics Join The Royal Society of Canada's Class of 2019
September 17, 2019
Dr. Pam Shaw and Dr. Ralph Nilson are being recognized for the outstanding contributions they have made in their fields and to Canadian public life.Two accomplished Vancouver Island University (VIU) leaders are being welcomed into the highly respected 2019 class of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC). Dr. Pam Shaw, Director of VIU’s Master of Community Planning program, and Dr. Ralph Nilson... Read more
Summer Camp Inspires Youth to Explore Post-Secondary
August 1, 2019
The ḥaahuupa Summer Camp took place on Newcastle Island from July 2-5 with youth from Gold River, Zeballos, Nanaimo and Kyuquot. Shannon Frank can’t remember a time in recent history when she’s laughed as long and as loud. The Gold River Secondary School graduate was attending the haahuupa Summer Camp on Saysutshun (Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park) from July 2-5 with nine other... Read more
VIU Raises Snuneymuxw First Nation and Metis Nation Flags at Nanaimo Campus
June 24, 2019
In recognition of the longstanding relationship Vancouver Island University (VIU) has with two of its Indigenous partners – Snuneymuxw First Nation and Métis Nation – flags for each of these Nations were raised at the Nanaimo Campus on National Indigenous Peoples Day (Friday, June 21, 2019). The Snuneymuxw and Métis flags joined the national, provincial and VIU flags already flying in the Royal... Read more
Student Group Discusses Truth and Reconciliation
April 25, 2019
The Indigenous Perspectives Learning Circle group, made up of 10 Indigenous, five international and five non-Indigenous students, met monthly over the school year to discuss how to better incorporate Indigenous perspectives into their work, studies and personal lives. The more Evangeline Clifton talks with others about her people's experiences, the more she realizes that further awareness... Read more
Recognizing the Power of Place Names in the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region
January 17, 2019
Long before British Captain George Henry Richards named Mount Arrowsmith in the late 1800s, the largest mountain on southern Vancouver Island had many distinctive titles given to it, depending which side the 1,819 metre peak was viewed from. In 2000, the Arrowsmith moniker was used in the designation of the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (MABR), a UNESCO recognized biosphere reserve. ... Read more
Douglas White III Speaks on Re-Imagining Reconciliation in VIU's Indigenous Speakers Series
November 16, 2018
Douglas White III Kwul’a’sul’tun learned how to fight at a young age. Early on in life, he recognized that there is animosity in the world towards Indigenous peoples and issues. It highlighted for him the importance of learning to stand up for himself and others in different ways. White will be sharing his story during Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) fourth annual Indigenous Speakers... Read more
Indigenous Students Embrace Success in EleV Partnership
October 17, 2018
By Jenn McGarrigle Last fall, VIU became part of EleV, a new collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, the Rideau Hall Foundation, Yukon College and Indigenous communities. The first of its kind in Canada, this learning partnership aims to better support Indigenous learners in their post-secondary educational journeys and beyond by removing barriers and providing wrap-around support... Read more
New Lecture Series Explores Reconciliation
October 16, 2018
A free monthly lecture series that aims to stimulate community dialogue about the relationship between Canada’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples launched at VIU last December. Delivered through VIU’s Centre for Pre-Confederation Treaties and Reconciliation, the series has included talks by Dr. Judith Sayers, President of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and Adjunct Professor at the... Read more