Hi:olemtel Clarence Pennier, known to most people as Kat, has devoted his life to fighting for equity for Indigenous people in general, and the Stó:lō people in particular. Land rights, Aboriginal rights, education, and reconciliation are among the causes he has advocated for through a long list of formal roles, jobs, and projects. As he…

Gwen Point had a thirst for learning from an early age. But like many Indigenous children, she faced barriers that made it difficult for her to thrive in the education system. She persevered, never giving up on her dream. Success followed, but not without struggle. She earned her bachelor’s degree. And her master’s degree. And…

Betty Peters loves the moments when she walks into the Gathering Place on UFV's Chilliwack campus and sees students at work. Whether they’re studying Halq'eméylem, filming a video project, or just enjoying a quiet moment, their presence makes her smile.   The Gathering Place was made for them.  “Whether they want to study, or practise something,…

As summer draws near, so does the opportunity for UFV students to dive into meaningful research through the BMO Collaboratorium.  Keith Carlson, Canada Research Chair and director of the Peace and Reconciliation Centre (PARC), has lined up several projects with community partners, and continues to look for more. The BMO Collaboratorium provides those partners with…

The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is full of people who are passionate about sustainability, and that makes March an exciting month. Each year, UFV’s Office of Sustainability, with the help of over 20 other departments and groups, co-organizes March for Sustainability, offering a slate of events that touch on everything from the environment…

The UFV community gathered February 5 to honour the life and legacy of Justice Murray Sinclair (Mazina Giizhik) — a leader whose work shaped the way we understand truth, reconciliation, and the centering of Indigenous voices. The evening began at UFV’s Mission campus, highlighting the university’s ongoing reconciliation efforts before moving into the adjoining Clarke Theatre for…

A UFV professor is a key contributor to a significant report on missing Indigenous children, unmarked graves, and burial sites associated with residential schools.  Dr. Mark Kersten, an assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice, researched and drafted four chapters in the 1,300+ page document that was released last October.  Compiled by special interlocuter Kimberly…

UFV University Librarian Camille Callison was presented with the 2024 Ron MacDonald Outstanding Service Award at a reception in Ottawa on October 3, 2024. The award recognizes an individual from a Canadian Research Knowledge Network (CRKN) member institution who has demonstrated vision, dedication, and outstanding service in building bridges and collaboration to advance knowledge infrastructure…

Walking into Longhouse Branding and Marketing, the values instilled by founder Keenan Beavis are immediately evident. The office buzzes with a team of nearly 15 people, working collaboratively in one large open space – reflecting the long-standing traditions of the Stó:lō People, who have done so for generations in their longhouses. Keenan is an up-and-coming…

  In March 2024, a hard drive representing the culmination of a year’s worth of archival research returned to its rightful home. For most of the 20th century, Canada’s Indian Residential School system uprooted hundreds of young children from their community on Haida Gwaii. The forced separation of families left deep scars on the island’s…

Two Indigenous scholars from the east and west coasts are working together to develop a dynamic, multilingual platform for Indigenous terminology that can be used in libraries, archives, museums, and information systems worldwide. Camille Callison, UFV's University Librarian, and Dr. Stacy Allison-Cassin, an assistant professor at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, are co-leaders of…

Content warning: This post relates to residential schools. A reminder that the Indian Residential School Survivors Society has a 24 hour Crisis Line available at 1-866-925-4419. As Carlanna Thompson prepares for the next step in her educational journey, she gives credit to the University of the Fraser Valley for getting her ready. “Without my time…