Pictured above L to R: 2024 MILR Graduates Ts'òōtsākūwá kāk'ā Janelle Crane-Starlight, XLAXELWET Kiona Bob, Miali-Elise Irralik Coley-Sudlovenick, ḥakaƛ, Christina John, K̓anasumaǧa Dana Roberts, Jennie Vandermeer, Medweanakwedokwe Velma Noah-Nicolas, Ato'olg̱asxw James Nyce, Donna Camsell, Adaahl Torah Zamora, Hồng Rosie Benning. (Photo by Jason Sudlovenick)

Pictured above: 1st photo: Ewa Czaykowska-Higgins and Aiyana Kⱡawat̓inak Paⱡki· Sa’tahtaki Twigg; 2nd photo: Kiminaq Madelyn Aġviaq and Ts'òōtsākūwá kāk'ā Janelle Crane-Starlight

Pictured above: 1st photo: Miali-Elise Irralik Coley-Sudlovenick and family (photo by Jason Sudlovenick); 2nd photo: Ts'òōtsākūwá kāk'ā Janelle Crane-Starlight, ḥakaƛ, Christina John, Adaahl Torah Zamora, K̓anasumaǧa Dana Roberts, and Kiminaq Madelyn Aġviaq. 

Pictured above: IED PhD and MILR graduates at the Indigenous Recognition Ceremony (IRC) at the First Peoples House Ceremonial Hall on June 8th. (Photo by Jason Sudlovenick)

IED Grads Blanketed and Celebrated in Two Ceremonies

On June 8th, IED was well represented at UVic Convocation and the following Indigenous Recognition Ceremony (IRC) with three doctoral students and 12 MILR graduates. 

The IRC incorporates a traditional Coast Salish blanketing ceremony, honouring graduates in a culturally significant way. The event brings together graduates, their families, friends, Elders, and members of the UVic community to share a meal, celebrate accomplishments, and recognize the hard work that has led to this important milestone.

Charlotte Ross, Nathan Brinklow and Yola Willie, all part of IED’s first cohort of doctoral students, attended with their families. Many MILR students were supported by family members, coming from as far away as Alaska, Nunavut, Denedeh, the Tłįchǫ, and Haudenosaunee territories.

Pictured above: 1st photo: Blanketed students entering the Ceremonial Hall at the First Peoples House; 2nd photo: MILR students prepare to enter the Ceremonial Hall. 

Pictured above: 1st photo: Charlotte Ross and Yola Willie; 2nd photo: Kiminaq Madelyn Aġviaq,Ts'òōtsākūwá kāk'ā Janelle Crane-Starlight, Ato'olg̱asxw James Nyce and Instructor Ewa Czaykowska-Higgins. 

Pictured above: 1st photo: Onowa McIvor-Whitinui and Ewa Czaykowska-Higgins with Drs. Yola Willie and Thanyenténhas Nathan Brinklow; 2nd photo: Adaahl Torah Zamora,Ts'òōtsākūwá kāk'ā Janelle Crane-Starlight, and Miali-Elise Irralik Coley-Sudlovenick. 

Pictured above: 1st photo: Jennie Vandermeer and family; 2nd photo: Miali-Elise Irralik Coley-Sudlovenick and Ewa Czaykowska-Higgins. 

Pictured above: MENEŦIYE joins the IED 572 course led by Wiigwaas at ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱. Front Row L to R: Gloria Hunt, Devo Moosewaypayo, Keysa Montour-Parker, Instructor Carmen Wiigwaas Craig; Middle Row L to R: Kaiati:io Barnes, Tamara Aisake, Shirina Evans, Jeneva's child and Jeneva; Back Row L to R: Angela Dennis, mayaał Bev Martin, Jen Stump, Dakota Anderberg, Angelina Rose and her children, Martina Escutin, MENEŦIYE, Santana Fuentes, and MENEŦIYE's children. 

Celebrating the arrival of the 2026 MILR cohort

We were delighted to welcome a new cohort of students to the Master of Indigenous Language Revitalization (MILR) program. In July, members of the 2026 cohort spent 16 days on campus, taking their first two intensive courses. This provides an opportunity for students to connect with one another, engage with IED faculty and staff, and begin exploring key concepts and approaches in Indigenous language revitalization.

The program brings together learners from diverse communities who share a commitment to strengthening and revitalizing Indigenous languages. Following their successful completion of the summer courses, students will continue their studies with two additional courses in Fall 2026, building on the knowledge, skills, and relationships established during their time on campus.

We look forward to supporting this cohort throughout their academic journey and witnessing the important contributions they will make to Indigenous language revitalization in their communities and beyond.

Pictured above: IED 299 students and XEṮXÁṮEN Earl Claxton Jr. at W̱MÍYEŦEN Nature Sanctuary on May 21st. 

Exploring Culture, Community, and Connection

For the second half of our land-based course, IED 299 W̱SÁNEĆ & Neighbours: Cultural Materials, students in the W̱,SENĆOŦEN,IST cohort — facilitated by Sessional Instructor Dr. Alice L Meyers — explored themes of W̱SÁNEĆ ethnobotany and cultural reclamation, fishing practices, Indigenous Astronomy, traditional harvest, and intersections of language revitalization.

On May 21st 2026 we traveled to W̱MÍYEŦEN Nature Sanctuary, hosted by Libby McMinn, to hear stories from SȾÁUTW̱ Elder XEṮXÁṮEN Earl Claxton Jr., about the Saanichton Bay Marina case, SENĆOŦEN place names, and ethnobotany. On May 22nd 2026 we were hosted at W̱JOȽEȽP by Elder ZȺWIZUT Carl Olsen, along with Shelly Kemp and Graham Olsen of QENTOL,YEN Marine Guardians. SIÁM Carl demonstrated a herring rake, a fishing spear, and a clam digging stick, and several students traveled by boat with Graham into SELE₭TEȽ Goldstream Inlet.

Pictured above: IED 299 students Dominion Astrophysical Observatory on June 5th. 

Pictured above: IED 299 students learn about the W̱SÁNEĆ traditional ḰENI Seagull egg harvest on June 12th. 

On June 5th 2026, following a morning call with Innu Astronomer Dr. Laurie Rosseau-Nepton and a presentation by Dr. Nick Stanger, we visited the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, invited by members of the DAO & Centre of the Universe to explore the visitors' centre, watch Navajo, Innu and Hawaiian sky story films in the Planetarium, and witness 108 year-old telescope operation at the DAO. On June 12th, we traveled by boat with SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation's marine team and members of the Living Lab (Dr. Daniella Roze des Ordons) to X̱O,X̱DEȽ (Mandarte Island) with Dr. Peter Arcese (UBC) & Dr. Amanda Rodewald (Cornell), to learn about a return to W̱SÁNEĆ traditional ḰENI Seagull egg harvest — a very memorable part of our course!

Pictured above: IED 299 students get ready to bus over to the Sea Garden restoration site at Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island on June 18th. 

On June 17th we attended the Oceans Past XI conference at University of Victoria. The W̱,SENĆOŦEN,IST students were invited by organizer Dr. Iain McKechnie to open the conference proceedings with a prayer and song. Dr. Skye Augustine gave an exceptional keynote presentation about the Sea Garden restoration on Coast Salish homelands. On June 18th, we traveled to W̱E,NÁNEĆ for an optional field trip to the Sea Garden restoration site at Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island with W̱SÁNEĆ Knowledge Holder Mark Sampson and members of his family — a beautiful day tending the SOX̱E, & shellfish gardens on the beach. On June 19th, our class wrapped up at the SḴŦÁK Ethnobotany Garden opening, welcomed by Jennifer Iredale and members of the Mayne Island community with a generous gift, participating in educational events planned for National Indigenous Peoples' day with educators and students from ȽÁU,WELṈEW Tribal School. The W̱,SENĆOŦEN,IST students graduated in a beautiful ceremony held at the W̱SÁNEĆ College the following week. Thank you to IED for supporting this exceptional course offering. JÁN ÍY and congratulations to the each of the superstar students in the cohort!

Pictured above: 1st photo: Students at the Sea Garden restoration site at Fulford Harbour on June 18th; 2nd photo: Students attended the SḴŦÁK Ethnobotany Garden opening on June 19th. 

Pictured above: 2026 Summer Institute students enjoy National Indigenous People Day at Royal Roads University. 

 Sound Pedagogies

With “a little help from our friend”, Kwakwa̲ka̲'wakw and Nuu-Cha-Nulth artist in residence Alex Taylor-McCallum, the students in the Indigenous Summer Institute ended their month-long program enjoying the songs they composed supported by Alex. Among other things, the students experienced diverse learning opportunities not only through their courses but as importantly, from guests such as Jennifer Walton, Nature-based Pedagogy and Grad Coordinator at St. Margaret’s School; Stephanie Boyd, Canadian film maker and journalist as well as co-producer and co-director of the film Karuara: People of the River, screened at the Ceremonial Hall in the First Peoples House where we were joined by two Grade 8 groups from Arbutus Global Middle School. At the Royal BC Museum we were welcomed by Stephen Davies, Indigenous Learning Program Developer, along with Yuxwelupton, Bradley Dick, who has recently joined the Museum. We had the opportunity to go ‘behind the scenes’ to learn about the repatriation journey of the cultural treasures journeying back home to their people and their communities. We were invited to the Jonathan Hunt House, a recreation of the house of Kwakwaka’wakw Chief Kwakwabalasami, who was born in Tsaxis. With the help of master carver Richard Hunt (Chief Kwakwabalasami’s grandson), the place was repainted and restored.

There were also visits to the Legacy Art Gallery, the event for National Indigenous Peoples Day at Royal Roads University, and the most talked about opportunity: the privilege to dance, drum, and sing with Indigenous youth at Wawadit'ła (or Mungo Martin House).

The theme for this year’s Institute was “Sound Pedagogies”; the students were able to write their own songs and melodies as they were invited to listen with care and intention, with patience and gratitude. These principles and visions for these future teachers were emphasized by John Harris, Elders & Indigenous Knowledge Facilitator from School District 61 who offered words of welcome and wisdom to all of us on June 4th, the first day of the Institute. Bringing those words to a full circle, the students demonstrated their learning in diverse ways, some of which included collages, reflections, group work, lesson plans, and much more!

Héctor, Wiigwaas, Alex, Carmen, and Jean-Paul appreciated the opportunity to support these pre-service teachers on their final portion of their journey here at UVic.

Pictured above: 1st photo: At the Legacy Gallery Yuxwelupton, Bradley Dick, explains the repatriation journey of cultural treasures; 2nd photo: Summer Institute students tour Legacy Gallery. 

Pictured above: 1st photo: Students learn to play the string exercise; 2nd photo: Welcoming the canoes on National Indigenous Peoples Day at Royal Roads University.