Indigenous focus
We acknowledge with respect the Lkwungen-speaking peoples on whose traditional territory the University of Victoria stands, and the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.
UVic recognizes that colonization and associated attitudes, policies and institutions have significantly changed Indigenous peoples’ relationship with this land. And for many years those same things served to exclude Indigenous students from higher education.
We're committed to redressing those historical and continued barriers. While there is much more to be done, Indigenous students are now enrolling in relevant programs at the university, and succeeding, in ever-increasing numbers.
As part of our commitment to reconciliation we’re building better and meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities, developing new programs, and working to bring our university into better harmony with Indigenous cultures, beliefs and ways of being. Indigenous people and communities are an important part of building our university for the future.
—UVic President Jamie Cassels
UVic's Indigenous plan
UVic’s first Indigenous Plan builds on our longstanding commitment to and relationships with Indigenous communities, both local and national. The plan establishes ambitious goals and clear accountability to work together to increase educational opportunities and success for Indigenous students and further develop education, research, outreach and engagement initiatives, and programs with an Indigenous focus. Download the complete Indigenous Plan or view a summary of the plan framework.
Indigenous students
More than 1,200 Indigenous students—including more than 200 graduate students—choose UVic for their studies each year. Learn about our Indigenous-focused programs, services for Indigenous students, scholarships and bursaries.
Indigenous research
From language revitalization to Indigenous law, University of Victoria researchers are working with Indigenous communities and organizations in Canada and around the world to understand, preserve and celebrate Indigenous traditions and cultures.
Videos
Indigenous legal traditions - UVic's Val Napoleon
Val Napoleon holds the Law Foundation Chair of Aboriginal Justice and Governance at UVic, and is one of Canada’s most influential Indigenous scholars. She’s the founder of the university’s Indigenous Law Research Unit (ILRU), which is committed to the recovery and renaissance of Indigenous laws and the only dedicated unit of its kind in the country.
Indigenous health inequities - UVic's Charlotte Loppie
Charlotte Loppie is a professor in UVic’s School of Public Health and Social Policy, and director of the Centre for Indigenous Research and Community-Led Engagement. She’s acting director of the university’s Indigenous Governance Program. Loppie’s work focuses primarily on Indigenous health inequities, Indigenous HIV/AIDS and the social determinants of Indigenous health. She’s committed to patient-oriented research, a way of thinking about and conducting research as something that is done by, for and with the people with lived experience who are the focus of the research.See more videos from the Vital impact - Indigenous research playlist on YouTube.
More Indigenous initiatives
- Indigenous partners: Learn about Indigenous programs, research, services and community partnerships
- Support for Indigenous students
- Office of Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement
- First Peoples House
- International Journal of Indigenous Health