How do I get started?

As you begin and continue your journey, it is important to listen, to be open to learning, and to be prepared to challenge your personal and academic views, knowledge, and past interactions/experiences.

While in academia we are often encouraged to speak up and out, it’s important that we listen twice as much as we speak when doing this work and give space for reflection and for Indigenous folks to share their truths.

To get started, we encourage you to read and familiarize yourself with the UBC Indigenous Strategic Plan (ISP) and reflect on your role in regard to Truth and Reconciliation. You might also want to ask people within your department about the broader goals of the ISP that will be implemented within your context.

The creation of the ISP was a collective effort with significant contributions from the Musqueam and Syilx Okanagan Nations and Indigenous Elders, faculty, staff, students and community members. It was created in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ 231 Calls for Justice, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The UBC Indigenous Portal has curated a list of internal and external professional development opportunities that you can use to support your learning. Some UBC-specific professional development and learning opportunities include:

The Pulling Together series guides are also excellent BC-related resources for personal and collective learning. We suggest checking out the Foundations Guide as you get started and then move to the Teachers and Instructors Guide.

Engaging in this work and learning can be difficult, and as such, we encourage you to find communities and/or other colleagues who can learn with you. Having broader networks for discussion is really valuable to support you and your learning.

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