IRSI: The ISP has 8 Goals and 43 Actions. Who will oversee the implementation of the Plan, and how will OISI work to ensure that the Goals and Actions are being met?

Dr. Sheryl Lightfoot:

With UBC’s unique, decentralized structure and its two campuses in Vancouver and Kelowna, there is a need for a networked leadership model for the implementation of the ISP. As such, the ISP is guided by a new and innovative implementation model which ensures that responsibility and accountability for implementation is spread across the university.

This network model, where each faculty and unit have the freedom to implement the Plan in their own way and which has created an interconnected Indigenous-led committee system, has been set up to produce a structure of support and guidance for the implementation of the ISP throughout UBC. This way, no one person or portfolio is solely accountable for implementation and the university can work together collaboratively to advance Indigenous peoples’ human rights in alignment with UNDRIP.

This network takes a human rights-based approach to transforming institutional culture, with the Indigenous Strategic Plan Coordinating Committee (ISPCC) holding the ultimate accountability to show progress throughout their respective portfolios. The ISPCC is a working group of the Executive team, including the President and both Provosts, along with the Senior Advisor to the President on Indigenous Affairs, the Senior Advisor to the Deputy-Vice Chancellor on Indigenous Affairs and the Associate Director of the Office of Indigenous Strategic Initiatives. The Committee is primarily responsible for establishing priority goals and actions of ISP implementation and making decisions on funding allocations.

The ISPCC is supported by the Indigenous Strategic Plan Executive Advisory Committee (ISPEAC). ISPEAC is composed of a number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous faculty, staff and students from across both UBC campuses. Its role is to provide advice to the ISPCC and make recommendations on priorities, funding, projects and programs related to ISP implementation.

IRSI: What is the role of OISI in relation to the ISP?

Jessie Penner:

The OISI team is here to support faculties, departments, operational units and student groups across UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses as they implement the 43 Actions called for in the ISP. The Office also provides advice to university leadership on how best to improve the experiences of Indigenous students, faculty, and staff across the university.

The network implementation model ensures that responsibility for the ISP is spread across UBC. As such, OISI is positioned to respond to questions related to the advancement of the ISP, whether related to the ISP toolkit, funding, relationship building or otherwise. As the ISP is everyone’s responsibility, the Office is here to provide advice, but this advice should not be seen as any form of endorsement or approval for action. OISI is here to coordinate ISP implementation, it is not a decision-making body and should not be relied upon to shoulder the work that faculties and units must take up themselves.

IRSI: How is the role of OISI different to that of UBC’s Equity and Inclusion Office? How do their mandates intersect?

Vicki George:

The implementation of the Indigenous Strategic Plan (ISP) seeks to amplify Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences to implement structural and innovative change that remedy the colonial experience in Canada. As such, meaningful reconciliation, and the work of OISI, moves beyond equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) work and requires the acknowledgment of Indigenous peoples’ distinctive histories, experiences and lived realities associated with and impacted by colonialism.

There are intersections between the work of OISI and the EIO. For instance, Indigenous voices must still be included in anti-racism conversations at UBC, specifically those pertaining to anti-Indigenous racism. Indigenous peoples’ presence must also be increased in almost all sectors of the university.

ISP implementation emphasizes collaboration, collectivity and coordination: we are all moving in the same direction. Ultimately, the work of the ISP and EDI will move forward as a collaborative coalition. But it is important to remember that the ISP and the issues it is responding to come not only from experiences of racism and/or discrimination but also the experiences of colonialism. It is this distinction which is crucial to understand as we move forward together, in solidarity.

IRSI: What tools and resources are available to support UBC units, departments and faculties to implement the ISP actions, and how can we access them?

Alex Ash:

The OISI team has been working with other units and groups across both UBC campuses to put together an ISP implementation toolkit. This toolkit is designed to guide implementing faculties and units through their ISP journey. A key principle to ISP implementation is the emphasis on slowing down and taking the time to do this work in a good way. So often at UBC there is an emphasis placed on outputs and outcomes that we can forget the importance of taking the time to reflect on where we currently stand, before we jump into action. This toolkit helps to create that space to reflect and slow down.

The first tool in the toolkit is the ISP Self-Assessment Tool, which provides all units with the opportunity to reflect and discuss their role at UBC within the context of Indigenous engagement. Completing this tool will help to situate your unit in relation to the Indigenous Strategic Plan’s Goals and Actions and provide a baseline of where your unit is currently at, what you are doing well, and where you might have opportunities for improvement.

This self-assessment will then lead into the second tool – the Intent to Action Tool. This tool has two elements, a Facilitator’s Guide and Workshop Slides, which provide a structure for your unit to review the ISP, identify the Goals and Actions that are relevant to your unit, and then assess how you can contribute to implementing your Goals and Actions through specific activities.

We are constantly working to expand the tools in the toolkit. You will be able to find more information about them and sign-up for toolkit workshops on the new ISP website that will be launching soon. In the meantime, please subscribe to the OISI mailing list to receive updates on implementation stories, workshops, events and more.

Welcome Back, Lerato! 

We are excited to welcome back IRSI's Associate Director, Lerato!

This past year, Lerato was on maternity leave and navigated the unprecedented ride of parenting during a pandemic, a journey shared by so many. She has jumped back full swing into leading the IRSI team and continuing to support UBC’s anti-racism efforts as a committee chair of the President’s Task Force on Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence. After a year of so many changes in the world, we are certain that her leadership will continue to support IRSI into another successful year!

Welcome back Lerato.

Thank you, Julie!

Another sad goodbye and big thank you to our Communications Strategist, Julie, for her hard work and dedication to IRSI since October of 2018. Julie has been an integral part of the IRSI team, especially during the past year, helping to move our Speaker Series to a virtual platform successfully.

Julie worked closely with the Communications Assistant Work Learns, throughout her time at IRSI and provided valuable mentorship and opportunities for several Work Learn students.

Thank you for all your work, Julie. We wish you nothing but the best!