This year, we were proud to highlight the ITOTELNEW̱TEL ȽTE: LEARNING FROM ONE ANOTHER—Elders Engagement Fund as one of our key priorities for Giving Tuesday. This fund, in honour of SWETALIYE, the late Dr. Marie Cooper, was named as a gift from the Austin/Cooper family to honour Dr. Cooper's lifelong dedication to Indigenous education, language and culture. Her transformative work in shaping educational policies and practices has left a mark on our community and continues to inspire future generations of learners and leaders.

Resurgence of Indigenous languages requires effort on multiple fronts, and new supports created by UVic are removing barriers for students. The Indigenous Language Revitalization Awards rolled out this fall to support students from nine local First Nations.

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Remnants of First Nation village, 1,000-year-old fish trap

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time to recognize, learn about and celebrate the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

A powerful new exhibit of over 51 original and reproduction works by a c̓išaaʔatḥ (Tseshaht) artist, scholar/educator, activist and actor—George Clutesi (1905-1988)— is on during Indigenous Peoples History Month at the Alberni Valley Museum in Port Alberni until Sept. 2.

Led by the Tsawout First Nation, the University of Victoria's 2023 archaeology summer field school will conduct the first research-focused archaeological project in the Cordova Bay area, which was originally a teeming centre of life for the people living in an Indigenous village called ȾEL ̧IȽĆE. The fieldwork will map the footprint of the village and surrounding areas using ground penetrating radar and archaeological soil probing techniques, as well as careful exploratory excavations, while bringing SENĆOŦEN language, oral history, and local knowledge into the research. The project aims to recognize and uplift all the incredible stories attached to the place and to reconnect people to the land and water.

The following UVic experts are available for comment to media as we mark National Indigenous Languages Day on March 31.

March 31 is National Indigenous Languages Day. There are more than 70 Indigenous languages in Canada. Here are some stories about Indigenous language revitalization at UVic.

The REACH Awards honour the extraordinary teachers and researchers who lead the way in dynamic learning and make a vital impact at UVic, in the classroom and beyond.

When aliens appeared over Montana in the 2016 blockbuster film Arrival, Caroline Allen—a linguistics undergraduate at the University of Montana at the time—was thrilled. Only a linguist could save the day? Great fiction.

STOLȻEȽOT Adelaide “Addie” Elliot is graduating with a certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization, a partnership program between UVic’s Department of Indigenous Education and the W̱SÁNEĆ school board.

As they prepare to cross the convocation stage in June to receive a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in Spanish, Navarra Houldin is on track to complete what has been by all measures a remarkable journey during their time at the university.

Education once destroyed Indigenous culture and identity in Canada and now it's used as a vital tool in reconciliation, Governor General Mary Simon told Indigenous law and education students at UVic.

New funding announced today advances resources and programming that enriches cultural experiences and strengthens links between the University of Victoria and francophone communities.

The Reach Awards celebrate UVic scholars for their extraordinary contributions in research and teaching.