Anti-Oppression Education Program
The program lead, Yahlnaaw, identifies as a Skidegate Haida, queer, transgender person. Yahlnaaw is wearing her button blanket with two Ravens, a moon, and a cedar woven hat to her graduation ceremony on Lheidli T'enneh Territory.
Equity and Human Rights collaborates with the entire UVic community to combat oppression. EQHR’s Anti-oppression Education Program addresses the intersectional, societal and systemic attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate oppression.
Education and creating change is a shared responsibility. Anti-oppression work should not be done solely by those who have been negatively impacted by systemic barriers. EQHR’s Anti-oppression Education Program calls on all UVic community members to engage in anti-oppression action-based frameworks to effectively change systemic attitudes and practices. Start now.
EQHR’s Anti-oppression Education Program has been updated to a 3-part series as of September 2026:
- Kil Daagwiiyaay – “Strong Voice”: Rematriation as Resistance
- Kil KaahlGalangdal – “Hear Someone’s Voice Before You See Them”: Anti-Oppression Action-Based Knowledges & Frameworks
- Xidsii, K’iiwaat’as, Tlay.yad – “Under, Over, Everywhere”: Centering 2SLGBTQIA+ Knowledges in Anti-Oppression Work
These training sessions will be offered once every semester for faculty, staff, students, and community members on Learning Central. Sessions are best completed in order but registration for individual sessions is possible. For those who are unable to access Learning Central, you can learn more about the sessions and sign up by emailing eqhr@uvic.ca.
Explore Learning Central and register for courses
If you would like to register your group or unit independently, please contact Yahlnaaw, Indigenous Rights and Anti-Racism Officer at yahlnaaw@uvic.ca.
Recommended Actions
The Equity Action Plan acknowledges present barriers to equity on campus and provides targeted actions—with accountability to leaders in the work—to meet our commitments to meet our equity and belonging goals on campus for all marginalized communities. Consider reviewing the reflection and action guides tailored for UVic students, employees, educators, researchers and campus leaders to get ideas on how you can support our shared goals.
The Office of Student Life (OSL) has a Student Life Grant that funds student-led initiatives and events that enhance student life at UVic and positively impact our university community. At least 50% of the funding is for organizing students who self-identify as belonging to equity-deserving groups. This helps ensure that students who face systemic barriers have meaningful access to funding and support. Learn more and apply for the Grant.
The Division of Learning and Teaching Innovation (LTI) offers an Anti-Racism Initiative Grant to engage faculty and staff to embed anti-racist practices in teaching and learning with a focus to improve the student experience.
Review UVic Libraries' guide on Anti-racism and Anti-oppression to access more learning resources.