Opinion: UBC demonstrates that we all have a role in upholding the rights of Indigenous peoples
By
UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan was developed with the guidance of Indigenous elders, leaders, and other experts, and through extensive dialogue with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, faculty, staff, and other members of our own community.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission said that the work of reconciliation must involve all levels and all sectors of Canadian society. As a centre of research and learning, as part of the province of B.C., as a university with campuses on Musqueam and Syilx territory, and as an institution of Canadian society, the University of B.C. understands that our responsibilities do not end with the courses we offer or the efforts we’ve undertaken to make the university more diverse and inclusive.
This week, UBC is celebrating the launch of a new Indigenous Strategic Plan. The plan was developed with the guidance of Indigenous elders, leaders, and other experts, and through extensive dialogue with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, faculty, staff, and other members of our community. The resulting strategic plan sets out 43 concrete commitments to integrate the human rights of Indigenous peoples into every aspect of the university’s work and operations and across all faculties and programs.
We honour, celebrate and thank the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam) and Syilx Okanagan peoples on whose territories the main campuses of the University of British Columbia have the privilege to be situated.