Archive for category: UVSS Statements

Transgender Day of Visibility Statement

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Today, March 31st, we recognize and honour Transgender Day of Visibility, a day dedicated to celebrating and uplifting transgender people while educating ourselves about gender diversity. This day is an opportunity to show solidarity, raise awareness, and fight for transgender individuals in our community and everywhere.

Transgender people face an ongoing and alarming wave of hostility and marginalization, especially in North America. This is not a new struggle, but it is one that has escalated in recent times. Across the United States and Canada, transphobic rhetoric and policies are being weaponized to create moral panics and target transgender individuals. Whether it’s attacks on healthcare access, the erasure of trans identities in policy, or the spreading of harmful myths, these actions are rooted in hate, fear, and a refusal to recognize the humanity and rights of transgender people.

As the UVSS, we want to be clear: we will never tolerate hate. We will always stand for inclusivity, respect, and the protection of trans lives. Regardless of the political landscape, no matter who holds power, we have a fiduciary duty to uphold our values — and that includes protecting transgender people from discrimination, harm, and erasure.

It is important to remember that the modern concept of “transgenderism” is a Western term that has become an umbrella to describe individuals whose gender identity or expression differs from their sex assigned at birth. However, this is not a new or unique concept. Before colonialism, many Indigenous cultures across Turtle Island had their own gender-diverse traditions, often encapsulated by the term “Two-Spirit,” a term meant to facilitate Indigenous Peoples connection with nation-specific expressions and roles of gender and sexual diversity.  Two-Spirit people were, and continue to be, integral members of Indigenous communities. It’s crucial to recognize that “Two-Spirit” is not synonymous with being transgender, but important to recognize how both challenge the colonial, binary understanding of gender.

When discussing the ongoing struggles for trans rights, we must also acknowledge the harm caused by colonialism in erasing and demonizing gender diversity, and that this history continues to impact how we view gender today.

Transgender people are not defined by their struggles. On Transgender Day of Visibility we celebrate the countless contributions of transgender people throughout history. From the trailblazing activism of figures like Rupert Raj and Sylvia Rivera, to the groundbreaking achievements of contemporary leaders like Aaron Devor, Aiyyana Maracle, Raquel Willis, and Alok Vaid-Menon, transgender individuals have always been at the forefront of social change, championing human rights and pushing for a more inclusive society. Transgender people have excelled in the arts, sciences, politics, and every other field, breaking barriers and bringing us the world we live in today. Their resilience, strength, and creativity have shaped the world we live in today and will continue to inspire generations to come.

However, while we celebrate these accomplishments, we must also recognize the harsh reality that “breaking barriers” should not be a requirement for simply existing. The fact that transgender people have had to fight for visibility, recognition, and basic human rights is a testament to the systemic barriers that continue to exist. Achievements and resilience should not be framed as extraordinary under oppression; they should be seen as a basic expectation of respect, equality, and access to opportunities for all people, regardless of gender identity. We cannot discount the immense hardship that transgender individuals face every day, and we must work toward a future where these barriers no longer exist—where people are able to live fully, authentically, and without fear or discrimination, simply for being who they are.

Today, and every day, we stand in solidarity with transgender people everywhere, and we renew our commitment to building a campus and a society where everyone, regardless of gender identity or expression, is valued, respected, and supported. Transgender people have always existed and will always exist, at UVic, in Canada, and everywhere.

 

In solidarity,

 

Bunni, Izzy, Hemal, Khushi and Sarah

 

Resource List:

Books: 

Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg

I’m Afraid of Men by Vivek Shraya

Reclaiming Two-Spirits, Spirituality Renewal and Sovereignty in Native America by Gregory Smithers 

 

Movies: 

Paris is Burning 

I saw the TV Glow 

Will & Harper 

 

UVSS Services:

The Pride Collective 

The Gender Empowerment Centre

The Native Student Union

The Anti Violence Project 

Gender Affirming Healthcare Information

 

Community Services: 

The Queer Care Collective 

Rainbow Health Cooperative 

Heart and Hands Collective



UVSS Lead Director Self Locations

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New Student Welcome 2024

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Thank you, Elder Terri Barnhard for your welcome and prayer

Good afternoon everyone, My name is Bunni Williams. I use they/them pronouns and I am your Director of Outreach and University Relations of the University of Victoria Students’ Society. I am from the unceded and unsurrendered territories of the Katzie, Kwantlen and Semiahmoo nations and move to the Lekwungen and Wsanec peoples land to start my education in 2019. 

I remember when I moved into Sir Arthur Currie residence – the stress, the excitement, the tears. Moving away was a terrifying experience but was so thrilling. Moving away from your community to a place of education is an opportunity for a theme of beautiful learning and unlearning and what we can do when we move away from home for the first time and we experience new things and people and our understanding of life is challenged

The UVSS is a place where I was able to find my community and expand my mindset 

I was met with such different opinions and some that I didn’t agree with but i found that in the disagreements I can question and then strengthen my own beliefs by learning someone else’s perspective. Isn’t that what university is supposed to be?  A place to be challenged and to make mistakes. 

Which I don’t think that people and also the education system honour that process of learning enough – to make mistakes. To even admit when your wrong, and that’s what I believe makes the UVSS so special. 

We are a diverse collection to lead, advocate and organize on behalf of the 19,000 undergraduates here at the University of Victoria 

We are a not for profit student union That is separate from the University. We are run by students for students. Our main pillars that we operate under are Social justice, environmental sustainability, decolonization, excellence in services, good governance and fun! We are a board of 22 undergraduate students across disciplines, ages, and backgrounds that are here for you. We lobby the university and the provincial government on various student issues that affect us right now- we too are students who are living in a world of crisis.  The affordability crisis, the food insecurity crisis, the housing crisis, the climate crisis, sexualized and gender-based violence, the toxic drug supply in our province – we have many issues to tackle.

We fight for you, because we are you. 

I invite you to explore the resources, services, campaigns, events, and programs your student union has to offer you.  Not only do we provide essential services like affordable and healthy food options, your health care and dental plan and making your transit affordable and accessible through our bus pass. We also have amazing communities for you to join- we have 5 advocacy groups that represent queer voices, students of colour, indigenous students, woman and gender non confirming folks, and students with disabilities that all have physical spaces you can hang out in and unique collectives with various events that are catered to the demographics that they serve. We have over 150 clubs and course unions in various interests- which you can meet September 11th and 12th at the student union building, and we are a large employer of students in an unionized work environment. 

A lot of students want to put their head down and finish your 4 years. however if you have the privilege and means to take your time. I can not recommend enough you do it.  I may be biased because I have been in school coming onto 5 years and I’m almost considered a mature student but maybe that’s why you should take it from me. If you told me in first year when I was sitting where you are now that I would be making the welcoming speech in just a couple years I would think your joking. I never expected the projection of my time at UVic to land me here at this podium. But this place is an opportunity to learn, explore and network. Your professors, university administration and fellow students may be your co workers or even bosses and while you explore campus life and start your career in academia I invite you to explore what you can offer to your student union. 

Because we are stronger when we are together!

I hope to see you all around the student union building and campus kick off this week, if you see me around campus please say hi! I know what it’s like to be in a new place and I’m always looking for new friends

Thank you to Kevin Hall and UVic administration for allowing student leaders – like myself to have a voice here on campus and I’m looking forward to continuing working with u this year to improve the lives of students. 

 

In Solidarity forever,

Bunni Williams 

 

Thank you.

UVSS Letter in Support of Drug Testing on Campus

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Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health 

PO Box 9050 Stn Prov Govt 

And Nicole Greengoe

Executive Director, Wellness, Recreation, and Athletics Department

ARC A250, University of Victoria 

 

July 22, 2024 

 

Re: Drug Checking Program at the UVic Student Wellness Centre and Harm Reduction on Campus 

 

Dear Dr. Dix, Ms. Greengoe, 

The University of Victoria Student Society (UVSS) is writing to express our strong support for the implementation of a drug testing program at the Student Wellness Centre (SWC). Earlier this year, a tragic incident occurred in which an undergraduate student living in residence at the University of Victoria passed away as a result of the province’s pervasive toxic drug supply epidemic. Since 2017, the UVSS has been actively conducting naloxone training programs through the Student Wellness Centre. Following the unfortunate fatal overdose of 18-year-old Sidney McIntyre-Starko in January, we have observed increased participation in our naloxone training program among undergraduate students.

Data shows that youths age 19-29 have accounted for approximately ¼ of all overdose deaths in BC since at least 2014. Sidney’s death underscored the urgent need for enhanced harm reduction measures on the University of Victoria campus. In response to this the UVSS is working closely with the University of Victoria to develop a robust harm reduction strategy. Among our priorities is the establishment of a drug checking site on campus, involving University of Victoria, Island Health, and provincial authorities.

Drug testing is a harm reduction intervention that empowers people to make informed decisions about their consumption and the risks involved. The implementation of such a program would provide a crucial, life-saving service to young adults in our community who use illicit substances. 

Having a drug checking site on campus would enable the University of Victoria to issue alerts about local toxic drug supplies to the campus community and health professionals, thereby mitigating overdoses in our campus community and beyond. Recent Canadian data has revealed that Approximately 1 in 10 postsecondary students reported illegal drug use, most commonly “party” drugs such as hallucinogens, cocaine, and ecstasy. It is not unexpected that young adults are engaging in experimentation with drugs. The University of Victoria has already established harm reduction initiatives on campus with designated smoking benches for cannabis and tobacco users and additional educational programming on safer use practices in response to the social climate on University campuses around partying, experimentation and education. Harm reduction is integrated within the UVic campus community, physically and socially. Notably, the University of Victoria partners with the Collaborative Community Laboratory on Substance Use and Harm Reduction and Substance, a drug testing program located in downtown Victoria. 

The University of Victoria has demonstrated commitment to addressing the provincially declared public health emergency on overdoses in our province. Drawing on their extensive expertise with community partners would ensure the safe implementation and ongoing monitoring of an on-campus drug checking program, reinforcing the University of Victoria’s proactive stance in responding to the community’s pressing needs.

We, the UVSS, aim for this letter to illuminate the critical necessity of establishing an on-campus drug checking program. Such a lifesaving service would build upon the University of Victoria’s longstanding commitment to harm reduction. We are optimistic that the University, in collaboration with Island Health and provincial authorities, will respond judiciously in instituting a comprehensive drug checking initiative on campus. This proactive step is essential in safeguarding the well-being of our community members and aligns with our collective responsibility to promote health and safety on campus.

 

Thank you, 

 

The UVSS Board 

 

Sign our open letter here

 

1 Canadian Postsecondary Education Alcohol and Drug Use Survey, 2021-2022: Summary. https://healthinfobase.canada.ca/alcohol/cpads/

2 Ibid.,

National Indigenous Peoples Day 2024

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June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day on Turtle Island. National Indigenous Peoples Day acknowledges the resilience of Indigenous communities and culture despite ongoing cis-hetero-patriarchal colonialism that strives to uphold systems of oppression through genocide, racism, land dispossession efforts and more. Their celebration is a form of resistance for the self determination that Indigenous communities demonstrate in preserving their diverse culture that North America continuously infringes on. 

Reconciliation is not just reflection but it requires meaningful action in the ways of being, knowing, and doing as we continue to exist on Indigenous lands. It is encouraged that students who are settlers recognize and reflect on their privilege to live and learn on the unceded, unsurrendered territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. Notably, those of us who are settlers living on these lands have a responsibility to understand that our continued presence on stolen lands showcases that the structure of colonialism continues to this day; colonialism is ongoing, not simply an event of the past (Tuck & Yang 2012).

It is important we recognize that academic institutions hold a unique position on Indigenous Peoples day as education in so-called Kanada was used to colonize Indigenous peoples through church funded residential schools. These schools were used to forcibly indoctrinate, shame, oppress and assimilate Indigenous children into Eurocentric and Christian ways of living. 

The University of Victoria bought their land for this campus from the Hudson’s Bay Company in the 1960’s, therefore continuing the complicity of education being used to colonize the land. The Hudson’s Bay Company was one of the first companies established in so-called Kanada and profited from resource extraction and impediment on Indigenous lands and waters, using Indigenous labor and skills to do so. In 1892, they began the smallpox epidemic in Victoria through fur trading with Indigenous Peoples. In little more than a century, due to smallpox, the Indigenous peoples population had been slashed by 90 or 95 per cent (Great Bear Rainforest, 2018). The success of the Hudson’s Bay Company was rooted in capitalizing from Indigenous lands and waters through Indigenous labor, Indigenous knowledge and Indigenous governance. 

Therefore when UVic bought this land from one of the most powerful colonial powers that killed a majority of Indigenous Peoples in this province – they inherited that responsibility to rectify the relationships with Indigenous Peoples. To this day education is used to perpetuate the cycle of power to cis-hetero-patriarchal colonialism. It would be ignorant to assume that our education is decolonized and does not practice laws, behaviors, and policies that keep it alive and fed. Decolonization is a politically powerful movement that seeks to disrupt the colonial infrastructures and practices that negate Indigenous sovereignty. Decolonization is not land acknowledgments, having a quota for how many Indigenous Peoples are involved in your organization, or even having a participatory, advisory branch of Indigenous Peoples because these methods do not disrupt power. Those actions serve to reaffirm colonial institutions’ image as progressive rather than engaging in the liberatory movement centered on Indigenous sovereignty on their land, waters, and bodies on Turtle Island and beyond. 

As the UVSS continues to operate on the unceded territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, we as the Board of Directors locate ourselves with, and acknowledge the profound privilege uninvited settlers have on this land. Our hearts and minds go out to the many Indigenous peoples around the globe who are currently facing genocide from western countries infringing onto their lands. The true work of decolonization is not over and we reaffirm our commitment to uplift Indigenous voices and sovereignty over their lands and bodies on Turtle Island and beyond. We commit to upholding our values of Decolonization and Social Justice, which guide our dedication to dismantling colonial structures in our personal lives, our workplaces, classrooms and communities for an equitable future for Indigenous peoples.

 

Today is not the only day we recognize Indigenous peoples but everyday we initiate these conversations as an organization to restore justice, decolonize and further equity on campus and into our communities.

 

Sincerely,

UVSS Board of Directors

 

Resources: 

  • Interactive map resources:
  • Listen: 
    • All My Relations Podcast
    • Métis in Space
    • Media Indigena
    • Stories from the Land
    • Unreserved
    • The Secret Life of Canada
  • Cited:
    • Tuck, E., & Yang, K. W. (2012). Decolonization is not a metaphor. Decolonization: Indigeneity, Education & Society, 1(1), 1-40.
    • History of Campus Planning – University of Victoria (uvic.ca)
    • The fur trade era, 1770s–1849. Great bear rainforest trust. (n.d.). https://greatbearrainforesttrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/5-Fur-Trade-Era-1770-1849.pdf

UVSS Pride Month Statement – June 2024

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The month of June commemorates Pride and is a time of celebration and reflection. Pride was born out of a series of riots, The Stonewall riots, which were championed by the most marginalized within the LGBTQ community — specifically Black and Brown trans women. The Stonewall riots began at the end of June 1989 after the police in New York City raided the Stonewall Inn, a prominent gay bar. Queer people came together to fight against state-ordered persecution for people who expressed homosexuality. However, these riots were not an isolated case. Anti-LGBTQ hate was all too common throughout the 1960’s and onward, often taking the form of violence, harassment and discrimination (especially medical discrimination). The riots began what today is known as Pride by forming community, allyship and love within the Queer community. 

The criminalization of homosexuality and the imposition of binary gender roles is directly tied to the colonization of lands and peoples. Many Indigenous nations and cultures include nonbinary, third genders, and Two-Spirit people that were not only accepted but considered sacred. Laws made to represent what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ in a settler-colonial nation like Canada are all too often the imposition of strict colonial morals, which only serve a privileged demographic. 

Homosexuality was decriminalized in Canada in 1969. Despite this progressive step, the years spanning from 1987 to 1992 witnessed a tragic toll, with 5546 deaths attributed to HIV/AIDS in Canada alone. Major institutions, including American President Ronald Reagan labeled it the ‘gay’ disease and not only stigmatized the Queer community, but also undermined the urgent efforts to address the epidemic. This period stands as a somber reminder of the consequences of neglect and discrimination, highlighting the imperative for equitable healthcare and societal acceptance for all. South of our border, and now in certain Canadian provinces, the LGBTQ+ community is at great risk. Political discourses habitually reduce trans and queer lives to debate topics to further scapegoat and marginalize them. 

Today, it can be hard to see the Pride movement as an anti-establishment, anti-colonial and anti-police movement. This is largely due to corporate “rainbow washing” that dilutes the true resilience, strength and PRIDE the LGBTQ+ people have in themselves and in their communities. We must not forget that Pride is an important time to reassert our self determination, to continue to build allyship and recommit to the work that still needs to be done. Freedom for one means freedom for all.

As Queer rights continue to be threatened we must center ourselves in knowing that Queer joy, pride and love is revolutionary and beautiful. Care for your community and remember the power of solidarity. 

 

Happy Pride,

UVSS Board of Directors

 

Resources: 

 

UVSS Statement – Trudeau x UVic Budget Visit

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On April 19th, we posted on our story voicing concerns regarding the visit from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, highlighting the 2024 Federal Budget. The press conference and subsequent Q&A session was held in the Center for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) on campus. We were not made aware of this event, as neither the Prime Minister nor the President’s Office communicated this visit to the UVic Students’ Society.

This visit to campus lacked significant student representation; no student organizations were present, and the students who were there were given limited time to prepare. Considering the impact of the Federal Budget on post-secondary students, this deliberate exclusion from important discussions and opportunities is unacceptable. Who better to advocate for student issues than students themselves?

The significance of this oversight is glaring and part of a consistent pattern of ignoring students’ concerns, especially in regards to divestment, international student fees, and the shuttering of McKinnon gym. We listened when you promised us a “culture of courage, trust, curiosity and flexibility” as a part of UVic’s 2023 Strategic Plan titled “Distinctly UVic.” So, while UVic can articulate in official documents their desire to hear from students, their actions consistently demonstrate a disregard for our authentic voices and open dialogue. As students, it’s clear that what is truly “Distinctly UVic” is the consistent choice to exclude students from decision-making.

We ask that UVic notifies the UVSS of any meetings with government officials, with a minimum 24 hours notice, or as soon as reasonably possible.

UVic, student voices matter! No student input, no visit!

In solidarity,
UVSS Board of Directors