This month, we‘ve been thinking a lot about the power of community—how important it is to show up for each other, especially during uncertain times. It‘s heartening to see so many organizing, supporting, and finding ways to push back and create pathways of mutual care. We are reminded of this each February with the 34th Annual Women‘s Memorial March and Black History Month: both reminders of the power of collective resistance. As we reflect, we also take action—supporting movements that center care, justice, and liberation for all. 

Thanks for being here and we hope to see you at some of these events this month:  

• The VIFF Centre marks Black History Month
• Black History Walking Tour
• Black History Month at UBC

in/relation Project Lead Janey Lew interviews Dr. Ayaka Yoshimizu about her experience integrating in/relation materials in her work with the UBC-Ritsumeikan Exchange Program and Introduction to Canada (CDST 250) course. 

Stories in/relation is a teaching and learning companion resource within the in/relation Project, created to support facilitators‘ understanding of Indigenous topics, histories, and lived realities and inspire facilitators to share this learning with other new learners. Created and hosted by Janey Lew and Samantha Nock from the CTLT Indigenous Initiatives in/relation Project Team, this podcast features conversations with educators, learners, and community member experts. 

Join CTLT Indigenous Initiatives team members Paulina Semenec, Educational and Evaluation Consultant, and Samantha Nock, Educational Consultant, Campus and Classroom Climate, as they explore research and evaluation in teaching and learning contexts at UBC. In this 90 min. workshop, participants will be introduced to anti-colonial evaluation methods in order to better understand (and creatively work against) institutional conceptions of time and space. This workshop will be of particular interest to anyone at UBC who is involved in research/evaluation and would like to learn more about how to bring a decolonial lens to their work.

Date: February 25, 2025
Time: 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Location: Irving K. Barber Learning Center, Dodson Room (302)

What role(s) can students play in Indigenizing our curriculum? This workshop will walk through the steps our team has followed in incorporating the perspectives of Indigenous students as we work on goals related to the Indigenous Strategic Plan (ISP). In the Coordinated Arts Program’s (CAP) ISP self-assessment, the experiences of Indigenous students in our First Year, university gateway program were unknown. Dr. Husain then led an initiative to hire two Indigenous former students to plan and enact a student-led review of curriculum and study experiences. The resulting work our team has done over the past year and a half has informed curricular changes in CAP and addresses some concerns raised in scholarship around institutional Indigenization efforts. 

Date: March 24, 2025
Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Location: Irving K. Barber Learning Center, Room 2.22

We welcome you to attend one of CTLT Indigenous Initiatives‘ monthly Virtual Coffee Hours. They are an informal space to connect with consultants on the team and other colleagues across the university. Some common topics that come up include:  

• Professional development plans for individuals, teams, and departments  
• Engaging with the Indigenous Strategic Plan
• Fostering a respectful classroom and campus climate
• Connecting with a network of people across the university
• Locating relevant resources
• Meaningful land acknowledgements

…and more!

Upcoming Dates: 

• February 26, 2025
• March 27, 2025
• April 22, 2025

Drop-in yoga and fitness classes for Indigenous students and staff are available at the Longhouse, instructed by Dr. Rosalin Miles. Made possible through the Healthy Workplace Initiatives Fund, six classes are offered throughout Term 2, 2024W. In the fast-paced environment of university life, yoga and fitness provide essential benefits:

• Stress Relief and Mental Clarity: Escape academic pressures and find relaxation through yoga and light cardio band exercises. It helps manage stress, reduce anxiety, and enhances mindfulness for better focus.
• Physical Health and Wellbeing: Improve your fitness, flexibility, and posture while fostering community connections among peers.

Classes feature band workouts, as well as Yin and Hatha yoga, focusing on breath work, meditation, mindfulness, and gentle stretches. Yoga mats, blocks, and bands will be provided to those who need them.

Dates: February (24) March (3,10,17,31)
Location: Multipurpose Room, East Wing
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM

We are thrilled to announce the official dates for Hoobiyee Ts‘amiks Edition: February 28th & March 1st, 2025! Mark your calendars for this incredible celebration of Nisga‘a culture, tradition, and community.

This theme reflects our journey of rediscovering and embracing our authentic selves, reclaiming our Indigenous identity and culture impacted by colonization and historical trauma," "It is a call to embrace traditional practices, languages, and ways of life that embody the essence of our heritage and spirituality." (Lavita Trimble, Board Chair)

Date: February 28, 2025 + March 1, 2025
Time: 10:00am - 9:00pm
Location: PNE

From the Yellowhead Institute, The Misko Aki Knowledge Exchange (MAKE) is a tuition-free, non-accredited, educational program. This innovative program explores the many ways academics, artists, and activists make liveable worlds informed by Indigenous and decolonial perspectives and research.  MAKE is grounded in theoretical learning and practical application; it aims to be rigorous, intentional, and devoted to transformation and revitalization. The lessons of this interactive and collaborative program can be applied to learner‘s professional and personal activities and pursuits.

Accepting Applications: February 10-24

On the opening weekend of MOA‘s latest feature exhibition, co-curators Snxakila–Clyde Tallio and Jennifer Kramer will lead visitors on a guided tour of this groundbreaking exhibition dedicated to the Nuxalk Nation.

Date: February 22 + 23, 2025
Time: 3:00pm
Location: Museum of Anthropology, 6393 NW Marine Drive

Join the exhibition co-curators and First Nations community members for an in-depth dialogue, responding to the powerful archival photos featured in MOA‘s current feature exhibition, To Be Seen, To Be Heard: First Nations in Public Spaces, 1900–1965. The contributors challenge and re-shape our collective understanding of the public, yet little-known, history of Indigenous people in this period. The roundtable conversation will be followed by an opportunity to see the exhibition with the co-curators and speakers, before it closes on March 31, 2025.

Date: March 16, 2025
Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Museum of Anthropology, 6393 NW Marine Drive

UBC is pleased to launch the 2025 competition for the Wall Fellowships and Wall Research Awards focusing on research and scholarly activity in identified areas relating to sustainability in British Columbia. Almost $4M is available annually for faculty and graduate student projects across all disciplines.