National Indigenous Peoples Day Statement

National Indigenous Peoples Day Statement

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June is National Indigenous History Month, and today is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day to recognize and celebrate the communities of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples across Turtle Island, each with their own distinct heritage, ancestry, language, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs. We celebrate these communities and their rich, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions.

The UVSS would like to honour and raise our hands to the Xʷsepsəm, Songhees, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples whose unceded territories we live, play, and learn on. We acknowledge the lək̓ʷəŋən and SENĆOŦEN speaking peoples who have historically cared for and sustained relationships with these lands since time immemorial. 

The UVSS and university stands on land that was taken care of by a Lekwungen family, known as the Cheko’nein1. Before contact, the UVic Quad was a camas field, where the purple flowers nourished both the community and the local ecosystem. Colonization of these lands began in 1842, when Sir James Douglas arrived by ship at Cadboro Bay. By 1855, with the purpose of stealing this land from its Indigenous peoples, the Douglas Treaties were created1,2.

The Douglas Treaties are one example of many of how Indigenous peoples within so-called ‘Canada’ have been forcibly removed from their territories. Additional efforts to assimilate and erase Indigenous peoples on Turtle Island continued for a century through residential schools, Indian hospitals, the 60s scoop, birth alerts, and an epidemic of murdered and missing Indigenous women and two-spirit people. 

Unfortunately, today’s political climate means Indigenous rights are still at risk. This past December, the Gitxaala First Nation won a landmark court case against the Province3 using the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA)4. The Supreme Court decided that corporations are no longer able to mine on Indigenous land without prior and informed consent3. After the Gitxaala case, the Province has threatened to appeal or amend parts of the DRIPA Act5. 

So what does this mean? What can we do? We would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that decolonization and reconciliation are everyone’s responsibility. We encourage everyone to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day and National Indigenous History Month, and to continue learning about the unsurrendered lands we stand on. We also encourage you to be allies, to speak out against injustice, and support ongoing efforts led by Indigenous peoples. 

Looking for a place to start? Check out these resources: 

Resources for Indigenous community members:

Though today is in many ways a celebration of Indigenous resurgence, all feelings are valid. Remember to walk gently and take care of your body, mind, spirit, and heart however you need to. Please seek support, if needed, from the list below.

Support Indigenous students on campus 

Support local Indigenous Businesses 

Education and Resources 

Interactive map resources:

 Watch:

Read:

Podcasts:

References 

  1. Benesh K, Joseph L, MacMillan J, Mordini E, Warbeck L, Wooldridge R. Lekwungen Housepost Garden Ecological Restoration Plan 2008. Published online 2008.
  2. Canada; G of CCIR and NA. Treaty Texts – Douglas Treaties. November 3, 2008. Accessed June 15, 2026. https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100029052/1581515763202
  3. Tyee  readers like you C here to support T. The Gitxaala Nation Is Suing the Province Over Mining Claims. The Tyee. Accessed June 15, 2026. https://thetyee.ca/News/2021/10/26/Gitxaala-Nation-Suing-Province-Mining-Claims/
  4. Declaration Act. FNLC – First Nations Leadership Council. Accessed June 15, 2026. https://www.fnlc.ca/declaration-act/
  5. David Eby’s Abandonment of Human Rights Betrays His Own Government | British Columbia Assembly of First Nations. April 13, 2026. Accessed June 15, 2026. https://www.bcafn.ca/news/in-the-news/david-ebys-abandonment-human-rights-betrays-his-own-government