News & events

(Photo by Sweetmoon Photography) IED Assistant Professor Dr. Belinda kakiyosēw Daniels is the founder and co-director of nêhiyawak Language Experience (nLE), a Cree language camp. This one of a kind camp experience has been in existence for 15 years. nêhiyawak Language Experience is excited to announce it has launched a FREE pdf, ‘How to’ Language Guide for starting and setting up an Indigenous Language Camp. They share all their tips and valued experience in language and land based practices. This is nLE’s way of welcoming and celebrating UNESCO’s proclaimed International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032). Dr. Belinda kakiyosēw Daniels, says, “The call for Indigenous language revitalization camps and other opportunities for Indigenous people to learn and strengthen their languages far surpasses the availability of these important resources.” Click here to read the PRESS RELEASE For more information go to www.nehiyawak.org or contact Dr. Belinda kakiyosēw Daniels on the website or with the University of Victoria.

Congratulations to Drs. Onowa McIvor and Paul Whitinui on receiving The Order of Service to Indigenous Education from the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC) - https://winhec.org/honours2021. This honour highlights their leadership as co-chairs for WINHEC’s World Indigenous Research Alliance, and Dr. Whitinui's role as Chief Editor for WINHEC's journal. As Co-Chair, Dr. McIvor’s exceptional leadership and work in advancing the outcomes of WINHEC through WIRA and the journal are greatly respected. Additionally, Dr. McIvor and Dr. Whitinui have worked with Dr. Kari Chew from the University of Oklahoma to publish a special issue of the WINHEC Journal on Indigenous Language Revitalization - https://journals.uvic.ca/index.php/winhec/issue/view/1486. This recognition of the long service of Dr. McIvor to the educational rights and freedoms of Indigenous peoples is a great honour and we are fortunate to have her leadership in our department.

Dr. Wanosts'a7 Lorna Williams was recently appointed to the Order of Canada, in a virtual ceremony which took place on December 15, 2020. Lorna received the honour for her contributions to Indigenous education and her advocacy of Indigenous language revitalization programs. Recently Lorna was interviewed by National Chief Perry Bellegarde as a guest on the Ahkameyimok podcast as one of Canada’s leading experts on the promotion and restoration of Indigenous culture and language. Congratulations Dr. Williams!

The Department of Indigenous Education would like to congratulate Edōsdi (Dr. Judy Thompson) on her award from the Candian Council for Arts: Creating, Knowing and Sharing: The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Metis Peoples program for her project entitled “Voiceability: Sharing the Teachings of Tahltan Ancestors”. The purpose of the project is to create multimedia books from the teaching of Tāłtān Ancestors, featuring artwork created by Tāłtān artists. Congratulations Edōsdi!

The Department of Indigenous Education is very pleased that Dr. Onowa McIvor was unanimously recommended for appointment as President’s Chair. The position began on August 1, 2020 and will be held for the next 5 years until 2025. The President’s Chair Award recognizes and celebrates UVic’s most outstanding faculty. The selection committee said, “It is clear that Dr. McIvor is a remarkable scholar with a track record for excellence, and she has already contributed immensely to UVic in a culturally-grounded and imporant way. Her appointment as President’s Chair will further her nationally recognized and critical research, teaching and community-university engagement initiatives in support of UVic’s Strategic Framework, especially with respect to Indigenous education, language revitalization, and reconciliation.” Congratulations Onowa on this prestigious position!

BC is home to nearly half of the approximately 60 distinct Indigenous languages in Canada. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action outlined a grave need for deeper conversations, increased funding and a collective effort to protect and renew the languages.

The Faculty of Education is delighted to annouce the appointment of Dr. Jean-Paul Restoule as Professor of Indigenous Education - and Chair of the new Department of Indigenous Education!

T’łat’łaḵuł Patricia Rosborough and čuucqa Layla Rorick publish their first article together. Read the full article here.

New Department of Indigenous Education approved by the Board of Governors in May 2017.

In 2014 Indigenous Education completed partnership deliveries of the Bachelor of Education in Indigenous Language Revitalization in two communities on Vancouver Island.