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Etalew̓txʷ | ÁTOL,ÁUTW̱ | Centre of respect for the rights of one another and all beings

Culture & protocol

Lekwungen Dance Group providing cultural protocol

Territory acknowledgement

We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

About the territory acknowledgement

The University of Victoria has recently updated its territory acknowledgement as part of our ongoing and evolving relationships with the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples on whose territories we live, learn and work.

We developed this updated acknowledgement through our continued dialogue and relationships with the local Nations, in recognition of their presence and governance structure in these territories. As we deepen our understanding, the words we use to honour the lands and peoples who have always been here also need to evolve. The territory acknowledgement is not a static statement—it is a living expression of respect, responsibility and reciprocity.

We hold our hands up to Yux’wey’lupton, Dr. Clarence “Butch” Dick of the Songhees Nation, for generously sharing his knowledge, language and teachings with us. His guidance has helped shape this new acknowledgement in a way that reflects land-based understanding and Lək̓ʷəŋən ways of being.

We also extend our gratitude to UVic President Kevin Hall for recognizing the ongoing challenges Indigenous students, staff and faculty face and for his commitment to addressing these barriers through meaningful action. President Hall continues to advocate and uphold our responsibility to walk gently on these lands, to be respectful guests and to uphold our accountability to goals and priorities shared throughout Xʷkʷənəŋistəl | W̱ȻENEṈISTEL | Helping to move each other forward Indigenous Plan 2023 and to the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples in all that we do.

This video was created to support our community in engaging more meaningfully with the territory acknowledgement. It is intended to inspire reflection, learning and accountability—while acknowledging that this is one step in a much broader journey of ʔetalnəw̓əl̓ | ÁTOL,NEUEL | Respecting the rights of one another and being in right relationship with all things.

We encourage all members of the UVic community to use this video and the accompanying land acknowledgement as a starting place. It is one part of an ongoing commitment to understanding the responsibilities we hold as guests in these territories and to acting in ways that uphold our relationships with the original stewards of these lands.

Our collective responsibility

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.

Today, we are proud that Indigenous students are enrolling and succeeding in UVic programs in increasing numbers. We are taking steps to create a warm, welcoming and respectful learning environment and sense of place to support our goals of creating a campus community that is accepting of diversity and inclusive of Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

While there is much to be done to redress the historical and continued barriers facing Indigenous students, the territorial acknowledgement is an important part of working together with our local Indigenous communities in a good way.

We see a number of ways that doing a respectful and meaningful territory acknowledgement can contribute to this work. It can inspire people to think about how they have come to be here, including the impacts of colonialism. It can foster a sense of responsibility to learn more about the people whose lands we live on, wherever we come from. It can offer an opportunity to reflect on what we will do differently based on what we have learned.

The acknowledgement was prepared in consultation with local Indigenous communities and it is the recommended and preferred statement to read at the commencement of UVic events on campus. We can use this acknowledgement any time we come together as colleagues.

If we are inviting people to campus, it is appropriate to request an Elder or Knowledge Keeper to do a welcome to the territory in accordance with Coast Salish protocol.

Submit a request for Elder or Knowledge Keeper.

Smudging guidelines

feather with smudging sticks

Introduction

UVic’s Smudging Guidelines are aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the UVic Indigenous Plan’s commitment to offer places and opportunities for Indigenous students, faculty and staff to take part in traditional ceremonies and practices on campus. These guidelines were created by a team of Indigenous staff, faculty and graduate students, as well as non-Indigenous staff at UVic. The Smudging Guidelines seek to further reinforce anti-racism, anti-colonialism, and anti-oppression, equity and equality principles.

Please be mindful of the spiritual nature of the Ceremonial Hall – it is a sacred space. The First Peoples House is a smudge-friendly space. Elders, faculty, staff, and students may be smudging at any given time in the FPH. It is important to inform your participants in advance giving them the option to remove themselves in the event of allergies.

The University of Victoria Executive, Deans, and other leaders will:

  • Support ceremonies that celebrate and encourage diversity among the University community.
  • Provide educational opportunities to staff, faculty, and librarians such as Indigenous Cultural Acumen Training and Equity and Human Rights’ anti-racism training to permit them to understand the importance of the Indigenous traditional ways of life. Educational materials will be shared through social media, print and websites.

What is smudging?
Smudging is a spiritual ceremony practiced by some, but not all, Indigenous peoples. A smudging ceremony has many spiritual purposes, such as cleansing, purifying or blessing the mind, body and spirit of those taking part. It involves the burning of sweetgrass, sage, cedar and/or tobacco in a shell or bowl and using a hand or feather to direct the smoke towards the person smudging.

  • Sage and cedar produce a very strong and distinct aroma but the smoke associated with it is minimal and lasts a very short time.
  • Sweetgrass has a very mild aroma and produces less smoke. Another type of Indigenous ceremony that could include the use of smoke includes the pipe ceremony, which uses tobacco.

Smudging is not limited to Indigenous peoples, as non-Indigenous people can also participate in smudging ceremonies.

Fire Safety relating to smudging

Indoor Smudging
Smudging ceremonies can take place in buildings and areas designed or modified by the university for this purpose, or where the ventilation/fire systems can accommodate smudging.

The following buildings have been identified as facility friendly for smudging. This list will be updated as other buildings on campus are tested or modified.

  • First Peoples House
  • HSD B211 Indigenous Student Support Centre
  • Saunders Annex

For those wanting to smudge in another building or room, please contact Facilities Management at smudgingrequest@uvic.ca at least 3 working days in advance of the ceremony. Facilities Management will assist with requests on a shorter time scale on a best effort basis.

Note: Some ventilation/fire systems cannot accommodate smudging; Facilities Management staff will work with organizers to find suitable spaces.

Outdoor smudging
Outdoor smudging can be practiced anywhere on campus, as long as it takes place away from open windows, doors and building air intake units.

Do not leave burning material unattended. Extinguish after smudging. Event organizers should know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, be aware of nearby combustible materials and keep embers in a heat proof container until cold to the touch before discarding. When smudging outdoors, please observe fire safety practices around dry grass and forested areas, especially during times when the fire hazard level is elevated.

Nəw̓es šxʷ cən ʔay̓ šqʷeləqʷən | ÁMEḴT TŦEN ÍY, ŚḰÁLEȻEN | Bring in your good heart and mind

Smudging ceremonies may be performed by an individual in their office, by an instructor, Elder or Knowledge Keeper with students in a classroom, or as part of a community event or gathering in the spaces identified in section #3. It is the responsibility of each department and faculty to collaboratively develop communications plans around notification. Suggestions for communicating to people in neighbouring offices include and are not limited to:
  • Providing advanced notice prior to the ceremony
  • Keeping the door closed during the ceremony
  • Posting a notice on the door that a smudging ceremony is taking place

“We understand that the commitment to reconciliation also involves ensuring that UVic is a racism-free, inclusive environment that embraces the many diverse cultures present in the broader university community. Universities have a responsibility to ensure that students, faculty and staff are knowledgeable about the history of abuse and racism with respect to the Indigenous peoples of Canada, and the enduring and negative impacts of colonialism.” 

Indigenous Plan, 2017-2020