News Stories
In Search of the Promised Land: Freedom, Prosperity and #Landback for Indigenous Peoples
November 6, 2019
Max FineDay, Executive Director of the Canadian Roots Exchange, will share his perspective on what reconciliation looks like during VIU’s fifth annual Indigenous Speakers Series on Monday, November 25. When Max FineDay graduated from university in 2015, his grandmother sat him down and told him he had a duty to explain Indigenous peoples to the rest of Canada by telling the kinds of stories... Read more
EleV Learning Partnership Continues to Grow
September 18, 2019
An innovative learning partnership headquartered at VIU is starting to take root. It’s been two years since EleV, a collaboration between VIU and Indigenous communities that is supported by the Mastercard Foundation, launched. The program, which aims to boost the number of Indigenous youth accessing post-secondary education, provides scholarships; wraparound supports such as Indigenous Education... Read more
VIU Spotlight News in Brief
September 17, 2019
News happenings from the 2018-19 academic year at Vancouver Island University. EleV Learning Partnership Continues to Grow An innovative learning partnership headquartered at VIU is starting to take root. It’s been two years since EleV, a collaboration between VIU and Indigenous communities that is supported by the Mastercard Foundation, launched. The program, which aims to boost the number of... Read more
Scholar Focuses on How Indigenous Issues are Covered in Media
September 3, 2019
Dr. Cynthia-Lou Coleman is curious about the similarities and differences between how Indigenous scientific and cultural issues are covered by the media in Canada and the United States. Coleman, Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) 2019 Fulbright Canada Jarislowsky Foundation Visiting Research Chair in Aboriginal Studies, will explore the issue over the next four months. Coleman is a professor... Read more
Summer Camp Inspires Youth to Explore Post-Secondary
August 1, 2019
The ḥaahuupa Summer Camp took place on Newcastle Island from July 2-5 with youth from Gold River, Zeballos, Nanaimo and Kyuquot. Shannon Frank can’t remember a time in recent history when she’s laughed as long and as loud. The Gold River Secondary School graduate was attending the haahuupa Summer Camp on Saysutshun (Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park) from July 2-5 with nine other youth... Read more
VIU Research Will Study Rising Stresses on Fragile Mountain Ecosystems
July 22, 2019
VIU researchers launch far-reaching study on Mount Arrowsmith in collaboration with The Canadian Mountain Network. A team of Vancouver Island University (VIU) researchers is ascending to new heights for an in-depth analysis that will project 100 years into the future to get a better understanding of what is happening in our mountain environments. One-quarter of Canada’s land mass is made up of... Read more
VIU Raises Snuneymuxw First Nation and Metis Nation Flags at Nanaimo Campus
June 24, 2019
In recognition of the longstanding relationship Vancouver Island University (VIU) has with two of its Indigenous partners – Snuneymuxw First Nation and Métis Nation – flags for each of these Nations were raised at the Nanaimo Campus on National Indigenous Peoples Day (Friday, June 21, 2019). The Snuneymuxw and Métis flags joined the national, provincial and VIU flags already flying in the Royal... Read more
VIU Hosts Summer Camps for Indigenous High School Students
June 6, 2019
Thanks to the generosity of The Peter Cundill Foundation, VIU is offering three free camps at the University’s Cowichan, Powell River and Nanaimo campuses this summer to encourage high school students to consider post-secondary. Making the transition to university can be scary, especially if you have never left your community before, or pictured yourself as a university student. Three free summer... Read more
Indigenous Advocate to Receive Honorary Doctorate Degree from VIU
May 8, 2019
Celebrating and preserving Indigenous cultures and perspectives through place-based teachings is Frank Brown’s life-long commitment. Brown, a member of the Heiltsuk First Nation, who carries the Hereditary Hemas (Chief) name of Dhadhiyasila (λ.λ.yasila) meaning “preparing for the largest potlatch”, will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Vancouver Island University (VIU)in recognition of... Read more
Global Philanthropists Recognized by VIU for Education Advocacy
May 2, 2019
In recognition of their efforts to empower youth through education, Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, and Peggy Woo, Strategic Advisor to the Foundation, will receive Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from VIU on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. Two women who have positively impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of youth in Africa and, more recently, Canada, will receive... Read more