Community collaborations
The Indigenous Governance program has strong community connections with local Coast Salish communities.
The program grounds its scholarship and teaching in the wellbeing and resurgence of local communities while also creating opportunities for students to learn and engage with their current self-governance practices.
Our commitment to the wellness of Indigenous lands, waters, cultural traditions and protocols is central to the program’s philosophy about scholarship and learning.
Elder Lorna Williams
The distinguished and respected Elder, knowledge keeper and academic, Dr. Lorna Williams, gently guided and directed us through a culturally rooted process as we responded to recommendations as outlined in reports and processes.
Read about Dr. Williams' 2018 Indspire Award for her contributions to Indigenous education.
Our close relations with local territorial nations and communities communicate our enduring accountability to the peoples and territories on which the program is located.
The program’s commitment to local relationships is the building block for reciprocal partnerships with international communities.
We value Indigenous-led community collaborations that advance shared goals of Indigenous resurgence, self-governance and nationhood to support the heath and well-being of Indigenous Peoples, communities and First Nations.
Nicholas XEMŦOLTW̱ Claxton
Nick graduated from the MAIG program in 2003 went on to complete his PhD (2015) in Educational Studies.
He is Chief of Tsawout First Nations and an assistant professor with the School of Child and Youth Care who made headlines in 2015 coordinating the first SX̱OLE fishery on Canadian waters in 100 years.
Nick has worked on campus for more than 10 years as an advisor and liaison for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students on cultural issues, protocol and Indigenous ways of knowing.
Read about Prof. Claxton's work to bring land-and-water-based knowledge to youth in community.