News Stories
Alum of the Month: Keanu Ienco
April 30, 2022
Ever since he picked up a guitar at age eight, music has been a passion for Keanu Ienco, who graduated from VIU in 2019 with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies. Earlier this year, Ienco, who is Métis and part Havasupai Native American, released his debut album, Celestial Desire, which he describes as an instrumental rock record. He shares more about his inspiration for the album and how VIU... Read more
New Program Prepares Next Generation of Climate Solution Global Leaders
April 21, 2022
A new partnership between three prominent island educational institutions marks Earth Day by investing in future climate action leaders to find solutions for the complex challenge of climate change. Two recently signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between pre-university school Pearson College UWC, Vancouver Island University (VIU) and Royal Roads University (RRU) formalized the collective... Read more
VIU Hosts a Conversation on the Future of Reconciliation in Canada
April 13, 2022
What: The Future of Reconciliation in Canada: A VIU Conversation When: Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 10-11:30 am Where: Online (Zoom webinar) Reconciliation is a complex concept with a variety of definitions, meaning different things to different people, but one thing many agree upon is that for reconciliation to become a reality, significant structural and societal changes are needed.... Read more
Provincial Government Funds Expansion of Shq’apthut, VIU’s Indigenous Gathering Place
April 8, 2022
Investment will enhance on-campus learning experience for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students Indigenous students at Vancouver Island University (VIU) will soon have access to more space as Shq’apthut (A Gathering Place) is expanded at the Nanaimo campus. The building is a home away from home for Indigenous students where cultural, academic, recreational and social activities are promoted and... Read more
UVic and VIU Deepen Relationship with Special Gifting Ceremony for New Chancellor
March 28, 2022
Cloy-e-iis, Dr. Judith Sayers, received a Talking Stick from UVic officials in a ceremony that followed Coast Salish protocol on March 24. A Talking Stick gifted by University of Victoria officials to Vancouver Island University’s Chancellor, Cloy-e-iis, Dr. Judith Sayers, solidifies a longstanding relationship between the two institutions and reaffirms a mutual commitment to reconciliation.... Read more
VIU Media Highlights: November 15-29, 2021
November 29, 2021
A roundup of VIU students and employees in the news. Top-performing Broadcast Story VIU alumnus Wawmeesh Hamilton was the featured guest on the November 23 edition of the Our Native Land podcast on CHEK News. Reach: 42,000 people. Top 10 News Stories Toronto Star (through local journalism initiative): Indigenous journalists essential in amplifying the stories of Indigenous people. See VIU... Read more
VIU Indigenous Speaker Talks About Journalism’s Role in Reconciliation
November 10, 2021
Investigative reporter Connie Walker is the keynote speaker for VIU’s seventh annual Indigenous Speakers Series on November 22. Connie Walker has devoted the past decade of her investigative journalism career to exposing the truth about the impacts of residential schools, and helping Indigenous people tell their own stories. “We’ve all been touched by this legacy, our lives have been shaped and... Read more
The View Gallery Presents Rande Cook
October 6, 2021
When a Tree Falls, Are We Listening? WHERE: VIU’s The View Gallery WHEN: October 14 – November 27, 2021 – Artist talk and reception October 21, 6-8 pm The View Gallery is thrilled to present an exhibition of new works from Kwakwaka’wakw multimedia artist Rande Cook. The exhibition will run from Thursday, October 14 to November 27, 2021, with an opening reception and artist talk to be held on... Read more
VIU’s Malaspina Theatre Hosts Winds of Change Art Exhibit
September 22, 2021
Featuring works by Stz’uminus First Nation artist Daniel R. Elliott, the exhibit explores the impacts of colonization and how healing can be achieved. Indigenous artist Daniel R. Elliott wants to take people on a healing journey. But first, he’s asking people to confront the history and impact of residential schools head on, and not look away. His paintings are on display in the Malaspina... Read more
Alum of the Month: Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun
July 15, 2021
Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun, graduated with a degree in Liberal Studies and Philosophy from VIU in 2018 with dreams of following his father and other family members into a career in Indigenous law. Right after graduation, he started a full-time job as Project Coordinator with Petroglyph Development Group, the economic development arm of Snuneymuxw First Nation, and soon started pursuing a... Read more