“The time to act is now”

UBC Okanagan signs declaration in response to Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action

Elders, chiefs and community members from throughout the Syilx Okanagan Nation joined with students, faculty and staff at UBC Okanagan Tuesday to witness the historic signing of UBCO’s commitments to action toward reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

As part of the University of British Columbia’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, the UBC Okanagan declaration specifies action on five recommendations developed by its Aboriginal Advisory Committee.

The actions include:

• Development of an Indigenous culture orientation program for all faculty and staff
• Establishing a senior advisor on Indigenous affairs for the Okanagan campus
• Developing activities that support the revitalization of Indigenous language fluency
• Advancing Indigenous teaching and research
• Expanding health and wellness services to better support Aboriginal students

“In making this commitment to the Calls to Action, UBC is taking an important step,” notes Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Chair of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. “Indian residential schools were purposely designed to ‘take the Indian out of the child’ by destroying Indigenous languages, cultures, and connections to our lands.

“The time to act is now. The steps that UBC is taking will strengthen the collaborative relationship between the university and the Syilx Okanagan Nation,” says Phillip.  “They will make meaningful contributions to supporting Syilx students and scholars, increase intercultural understanding, and over time, they will enrich the future for us all.”

UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Santa Ono says UBC is deeply committed to collaborating with Indigenous peoples and communities to address the legacy of colonialism, and to co-develop knowledge and relationships.

“The Okanagan campus is at the leading edge of this effort through its foundational partnership with the Syilx Okanagan Nation and its commitments to access and success for all Indigenous students,” said Ono.

In 2005, UBC established the Okanagan campus in Syilx Okanagan territory in partnership with Syilx Okanagan Chiefs, embarking on a new relationship with the Indigenous peoples of the region and furthering the university’s commitment to Indigenous partnerships.

“Since the beginning of this campus, UBC has enjoyed the support, friendship and warmth of Syilx people and communities, it is a blessing and an invaluable privilege. Going forward we recommit to working towards reconciliation and better serving the Syilx community. I am personally deeply grateful to be a part of this unique partnership and place,” says Deborah Buszard, UBC Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UBC Okanagan.

“We will be forever grateful to be welcomed in Syilx Okanagan territory and to partner with the Okanagan Nation on education,” Buszard said. “UBC Okanagan will uphold its commitment to support Indigenous students and scholarship long after we achieve the Truth and Reconciliation actions to which we commit today.”

Information about the declaration and commitments is online at: ok.ubc.ca/trc

About UBC's Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning in the heart of British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley. Ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world, UBC is home to bold thinking and discoveries that make a difference. Established in 2005, the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world.

To find out more, visit: ok.ubc.ca