We respectfully acknowledge the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples on whose unceded territory the University of Victoria is located and the Songhees, Esquimalt and W̱SÁNEĆ nations whose relationships with these lands and waters shape their political thought, governance and self-determining authority that transcend the imposition of state borders and should inform how we all relate to this territory.
UVic’s current location was originally known as Sungayka village (‘snow patches’), which was home to the Checkonien family. Today Indigenous peoples continue to call these lands and waters home and act as stewards and protectors – this responsibility extnds to all people living here to share and care for this land for generations to come. Participating in a land acknowledgement is a way to recognize the enduring presence and resilience of Indigenous peoples in this area since time immemorial. They are also reminders that we are all accountable to these relationships.
Additional Educational Resources
Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
In order to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission makes the following calls to action (Published in 2015).
150 Acts of Reconciliation for the Last 150 Days of Canada’s 150
A list of small, everyday acts that average Canadian can undertake as well as provocative actions we can take that encourage us to think about Indigenous-settler relationships in a new way.
Every Child Matters: Honouring the Missing Children
Curated by the University of Victoria, this library guide includes education and scholarly resources related to the remembrance of the many children missing from Canada’s residential schools.
Calls to Action Accountability: A 2021 Status Update
Six years after the TRC released its six-volume final report, the Yellowhead Institute has formally tracked the completion of the Calls to Action and published this update on the status of each call as of 2021.
First Peoples’ Cultural Council – First Peoples’ Map of B.C.
Explore and contribute to the interactive map of the Indigenous Languages, Arts, and Heritage in British Columbia. Discover language regions, place names, the diverse Indigenous heritages, and so much more!
Indigenous Canada: Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)
Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson MOOC from the University of Alberta that explores the different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous people living in Canada.