UBC

Dr. Eduardo Jovel appointed interim Director of the First Nations House of Learning

Published

10 months ago

January 25, 2023

Dr. Eduardo Jovel

The following message was originally issued by Prof. Andrew Szeri, Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Vancouver.

Dr. Eduardo Jovel has been appointed as the Interim Director of the First Nations House of Learning, effective December 1, 2021. He joins FNHL at this time while Dr. Margaret Moss, Associate Professor, UBC School of Nursing, and Director, First Nations House of Learning, temporarily steps into the role of interim Associate Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion.

“I am humbled and excited to serve as the Interim Director of the First Nations House of Learning,” Dr. Jovel said. “I believe it is an opportunity to reciprocate the kindness, support, and guidance that I’ve received from the Indigenous community over almost three decades.

“At this particular time, I see the ISP as providing UBC with a strong pathway for institutional change grounded on responsive, reciprocal, and respectful relations with Indigenous people, particularly with xʷməθkʷəy̓əm.

“Incorporating Indigenous knowledge, protocols, and culture is fundamental to enhancing the students’ experience at UBC, and necessary to improve Indigenous health and wellness, and acknowledge Indigenous people’s rights and self-determination. And so, I look forward to contributing to the collective efforts and commitments of the University to build a successful future for Indigenous people.”

“Dr. Jovel will be a wonderful fit as Interim Director, as he is a frequent presence at the Longhouse and is familiar with the staff and students there, including FNHL programming,” Dr. Margaret Moss said. “I have no doubt that FNHL will prosper under his leadership.”

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Jovel to his new role.

~~~~

Eduardo Jovel, Ph.D., whose traditional name is Itz Cohuatl, is an Indigenous scholar of Pipil and Mayan ancestry. He completed his Master’s and Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia.

Dr. Jovel is an Associate Professor and Director of the Indigenous Research Partnerships, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, UBC. His academic training includes Ethnobotany, Mycology, and Natural Products Chemistry. His research intersects with Indigenous Health and Wellness, Indigenous land-based Education, Gender, Research Ethics, and Indigenous food sovereignty.

He is former Director of the UBC Institute for Aboriginal Health and the founder and Director of xwc̓ic̓əsəm Garden at UBC Farm, focusing on restoring community leadership on self-determined land-based education and research, and, respectfully, mobilization of Indigenous knowledge.

Dr. Jovel has worked with Indigenous people in Peru, Ecuador, the United States, New Zealand, Mexico, and Canada.

Over the last 18 years, Dr. Jovel has been a leader in building Indigenous research capacity and networks in BC and Canada, including the BC Aboriginal Capacity and Developmental Research Environments (ACADRE), the Network Environment for Aboriginal Health Research BC and Yukon Territory (NEAHRBCYT), and the Network Environments for Indigenous Health BC (NEARBC).

The post Dr. Eduardo Jovel appointed interim Director of the First Nations House of Learning appeared first on Indigenous Portal.

UBC

Indigenous Community Holiday Craft Fair 2023

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2023

Drop by the First Nations Longhouse and support Indigenous artists and makers.

The First Nations House of Learning is hosting an Indigenous Community Holiday Craft Fair on Thursday, December 7th, from 3–5pm at Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall.

The UBC community is invited to attend this exciting fair, which celebrates Indigenous art and craftspersonship. Indigenous students, faculty, staff, and community members will be displaying and selling their art and handmade crafts, which include original art pieces, small leather goods, beaded jewelry and accessories, and other exciting wares.

Call for Vendors

Indigenous students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to come out, showcase, and sell their unique crafts and wares. Complete this registration form to reserve a table today. Participation is free for vendors.

* * * *

Date & Time: Thursday, December 7, 3–5pm
Location: Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall, First Nations Longhouse

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UBC

Statement from UBC First Nations House of Learning Leadership

Published

3 weeks ago

November 8, 2023

Joely Viveiros

We wish to address recent concerns regarding Buffy Sainte-Marie and her claimed Indigenous identity. We recognize and acknowledge the deep sadness, hurt, anger, and array of emotions that Indigenous people may be experiencing in the wake of these allegations.

To the Indigenous students, faculty, staff and community members at UBC: we stand and walk alongside you.

Sainte-Marie was granted an honorary degree from UBC in 2012. Members of our community have asked if the University will rescind her honorary degree due to recent events.

We believe the priority is to provide time for Indigenous communities to process and come to terms with the news. The University will work collaboratively and closely with Indigenous leadership, faculty, partners, communities and local First Nations to determine next steps relating to this honorary degree.

While this process gets underway, our priority first and foremost is the wellbeing of the Indigenous community at UBC.

To that end, we encourage Indigenous students impacted by this news to utilize the UBC support services, including off-campus Indigenous and community organizations. For UBC employees, we encourage you to reach out to your support networks, including support services provided as part of your employee benefits, or to off-campus ones. Please see the list below for corresponding links.

Sincerely,

Joely Viveiros
Acting Director and Associate Director, First Nations House of Learning, UBC Vancouver

* * * *

UBC Vancouver Student Supports

The Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing program aims to provide culturally safe mental health and support services, including offering individual sessions at the Longhouse. More information can be found here: https://students.ubc.ca/health/counselling-services/indigenous-mental-health-wellbeing-program
The Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre hosts wellness drop-ins every second Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Elders’ lounge on the upper level of the Centre. Indigenous students, staff, faculty and community members are invited to drop-in to the Centre for tea or coffee and conversation with a Cultural Support Worker. More information can be found here: https://irshdc.ubc.ca/wellness-drop-ins/
Information on general health and wellbeing support services available at UBC Vancouver can be found here:

https://students.ubc.ca/support
https://students.ubc.ca/health/counselling-services
https://students.ubc.ca/about-student-services

UBC Faculty and Staff Supports

Faculty and Staff Mental Health Resources:
https://hr.ubc.ca/health-and-wellbeing/mental-health/faculty-and-staff-mental-health-resources
Helping Faculty and Staff in Distress:
https://hr.ubc.ca/health-and-wellbeing/mental-health/helping-faculty-and-staff-distress
Employee and Family Assistance Program:
https://hr.ubc.ca/benefits/benefit-plan-details/employee-and-family-assistance-program

Off-Campus Supports

Outside of UBC, Indigenous people in B.C. can access culturally safe mental health and wellbeing resources from Canada-wide programs like Hope for Wellness, or through programs from the First Nations Health Authority, and Métis Nation BC.
There are also crisis and support lines, including the KUU-US Indigenous Crisis Line and the Indian Residential School Crisis Line, which can be reached at 1-866-925-4419.
The Sixties Scoop Network and Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation also offer support and resources for survivors of the Sixties Scoop and their families.

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UBC

Indigenous Graduation Celebration Fall 2023

Published

2 months ago

October 11, 2023

Participating graduates at UBC’s Indigenous Graduation Celebration Spring 2023.
Photo supplied by the First Nations House of Learning.

On Saturday, November 25th, the First Nations House of Learning is hosting a graduation celebration at the First Nations Longhouse to honour participating Indigenous graduates from the Fall Class of 2023.

Longhouse Ceremonial Door

This event sees Indigenous students invited into Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall through a ceremonial door, whereupon each is individually acknowledged by a gathering of families and supporters as having transformed from student to graduate.

Afterward, each graduate is stood up and recognized for completing their academic program and is given the opportunity to thank their supporters.

The keynote speaker for the event is TBD.

Like previous events, the celebration will be streamed live for the benefit of family, friends and supporters who are unable to attend.