UVic to host 2018 national reconciliation forum

UVic has been selected to host the 2018 National Building Reconciliation Forum this fall. The announcement was made in November by Universities Canada at the 2017 forum in Winnipeg.

“Hosting the forum is an important responsibility to carry forward a dialogue among universities and Indigenous communities inspired by the residential survivors’ gift of truth to the nation,” says Nancy Wright, UVic’s associate vice-president of academic planning. Wright attended the 2017 forum with other UVic representatives.

The forum brings together leaders from universities, colleges and Indigenous communities to create meaningful and lasting institutional change in the higher education sector to advance reconciliation.

The 2018 forum will focus on Indigenous language revitalization and economic growth of Indigenous communities. Just over half of Canadian universities offer Indigenous language courses, and since 2015, there’s been a 57 per cent increase in courses taught in which the language of instruction is Indigenous.

UVic is deeply committed to the ongoing and collective postsecondary response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s findings and 94 Calls to Action, and remains unwavering in its dedication to decolonizing and indigenizing its campus.

“UVic is honoured to be the host for this key national initiative,” says Wright, adding that more details will be made available closer to the date.

Last fall, UVic launched its first Indigenous Plan. Researchers, students and collaborators have been immersed for decades in local and national efforts in Indigenous language revitalization and community building while delivering successful programming that is responsive to community needs.