To enhance Indigenous research culture at UBC, we are guided by The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and MMIWG2SI Calls to Justice call for recognition and valuing of Indigenous healing practices and collaboration with Indigenous healers, Elders, and knowledge keepers as requested by Indigenous Peoples. In response, we have built and enhanced land-based spaces and developed Indigenous research initiatives (e.g., sacred fires at xwc̓ic̓əsəm Garden at UBC Farm) to support safe and culturally relevant health and wellness for researchers, promote dialogues on reconciliation and transformative research, and discussions of Indigenous peoples' aspirations and research goals. In addition, we will facilitate community engagement to explore the interconnectedness and intersections of these knowledges, human ecologies, and Indigenous worldviews to counter colonial harms and challenges, address collective responsibilities to social transformation to advancement of the rights of Indigenous people, and co-develop reciprocal and respectful relations.
Our collective has many years of experience in land-based research and education and supporting land-based health and wellness research initiatives. We have collaboratively contributed to advancing ongoing Indigenous land-based research initiatives at xwc̓ic̓əsəm Garden at UBC Farm, including access to traditional medicine, fostering food security and understanding the role of land-based pedagogy in health and wellness.