Pictured above: (from left): Gina-Mae Harris, Hul’q’umi’num’ lead; Josie Louie, Director, Stz’uminus Education Society; sumaxatkᵂ Tracey Kim Bonneau, Chair, Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association; Qwul’sih’yah’maht, Robina Thomas, UVic Acting President & Vice Chancellor; Chief John Elliot, Stz’uminus First Nation; Jessie Sunner, Minister of BC Post-Secondary Education & Future Skills; Stephanie Higginson, MLA, Ladysmith-Oceanside; Jean-Paul Restoule, Chair, Department of Indigenous Education, UVic; Tyrone McNeil, President, First Nations Education Steering Committee; and Deborah Jeffrey, Executive Director, First Nations Education Steering Committee. 

Partnerships that Strengthen Language, Culture, & Education

The University of Victoria (UVic) is honoured to stand alongside First Nations in advancing community-driven teacher education. On Sep. 15th, the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills announced $5.4 million in funding to strengthen teacher recruitment and retention across the province, with four of the six recipient Nations—Mowachaht-Muchalaht First Nation, Stz’uminus First Nation, Ktunaxa Nation, and W̱SÁNEĆ College—partnering with UVic to design and deliver programs that reflect local priorities, languages, and education.

Read the full article here: UVic News

Ministry Announcement

Pictured above: PDPP students tour the Legacy Gallery as part of the IED 302 course. 

New I-PDPP Students Embark on a Journey of Indigenous Knowledge and Teaching

Indigenous Education (IED) started a new year with enthusiasm and excitement as we welcomed a new cohort of 15 students in the Indigenous Post Degree Program Program (I-PDPP). We are looking forward to witnessing their growth when deepening their knowledge pertaining to Indigenous culture, language, and perspectives, which will be supported by weekly visits or by hosting guests on campus. So far, we have had three guests on campus who have engaged the students in diverse ways. Frank Conibear, a former teacher in Victoria originally from Lyackson, opened the program on September 3rd when the students were invited to an orientation day.

We have also learned about Métis culture and approaches to Education from doctoral candidate and former teacher Kristy McLeod whose recently published book co-authored with Phyllis Webstad entitled Decolonization and Me: Conversations about healing a Nation and ourselves will expand much needed conversations in classrooms and beyond.

Early in September, the students welcomed a group of educators from the Yukon who described teaching opportunities and what life in the Yukon might look like for teachers. A walk on campus with JB Williams and a visit to the Legacy Art Gallery to learn more about SȾÁUTW̱ artist Doug Lafortune and nuučaan̓ułatḥ arist ḥapinyuuk, Tommy Happynook, have also enhanced the program in their own cultural ways.

Pictured above: Instructor,  Pia Russell, and the PDPP cohort on their Living History Walk. 

Living History Walk Grounds Students in Place & Perspective

Instructor Pia Russell has developed the Living History Walk as a meaningful experiential learning opportunity for students in IED 303. Drawing on years of research and reading about the colonial history of UVic and Victoria, Pia created this guided walk to help students connect their studies to the histories and realities of the land on which they study.

By walking, listening, and reflecting together, students were encouraged to consider their own roles as future educators in fostering a more informed relationship with place and community.

1st & 2nd photo: PDPP students enjoying their Living History Walk as part of the IED 303 course. 

1st picture: Guest speaker, Kristy McLeod, discusses her new book Decolonization and Me with the PDPP students; 2nd picture: PDPP students at the Legacy Gallery. 

Pictured above, L to R: Dr. Carmen Rodriguez de France and Aliki Marinakis. 

Congratulations on 25 years of service at UVic

Please join the Department of Indigenous Education in celebrating Dr. Carmen Rodriguez de France, Associate Professor, and Aliki Marinakis, Indigenous Programs Manager, on reaching the milestone of 25 years of service at the University of Victoria (UVic).

Their commitment, leadership, and contributions over the years have enriched our department, supported our students, and strengthened our relationships our community partners. We are deeply grateful for their ongoing dedication and for the knowledge, care, and passion they bring to their work every day.

Congratulations, Carmen and Aliki, on this remarkable achievement and thank you for your years of service to UVic and Indigenous Education.

Pictured above, L to R: Dr. Mique'l Dangeli, Cathryn Thompson, and Edōsdi at Orange Shirt Day at UVic. 

Orange Shirt Day Campus Gathering at UVic

On September 29, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members gathered on the Quad for UVic’s annual Orange Shirt Day Campus Gathering.

This year’s gathering held special significance as it marked the 10th anniverary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. A decade later, the Calls to Action continue to guide our collective efforts toward truth, reconciliation, and healing. The day offered a time for reflection on the lasting impacts of residential schools and the importance of acknowledging both the harms and the remarkable resilience, strength, and leadership of Survivors, families, and communities.

Ist photo: Dr. Paul Whitinui and Cathryn Thompson; 2nd photo: Yahlnaaw, Edōsdi, and Cathryn Thompson. 

Assistant Teaching Professor in Indigenous Language Reclamation Revitalization and Maintenance

The Department of Indigenous Education at the University of Victoria invites applications for a limited term appointment for Assistant Teaching Professor, Indigenous Language Reclamation Revitalization and Maintenance, to commence January 1, 2026.

We are seeking an Indigenous scholar who is able to teach courses and work with/supervise undergraduate and/or graduate students in Indigenous Language Revitalization, reclamation and maintenance. In addition, and more specifically, during this appointment, the successful candidate will work closely with the manager of Indigenous Language programs in the Faculty of Education in planning and coordinating off-campus Indigenous language programs offered by the Faculty of Education. This will include developing & maintaining relations with Indigenous community partners and may include coordinating program delivery, recruitment of instructors and course writers, liaising with and developing partnerships with other academic institutions, provincial regulatory bodies, key community stakeholders, as well as departments within and external to the Faculty of Education. Teaching duties will vary depending on need and capacity and may include workshop facilitation for ILR learners and instructors, teaching and developing curriculum as required, program visioning & enactment, practicum supervision, and organizing and facilitating ILR methodology workshops, mentoring instructors.

The candidate will have the opportunity to shape and develop ILR programs and courses in our Faculty, in partnership with the ILR programs manager and relevant community stakeholders, as well as participate in and lead initiatives to integrate Indigenous knowledge into all academic areas within the Faculty and across the University. We anticipate an individual with the ability to contribute strongly to the profile of the Department and its teaching and administrative functions.

The posting is open until filled. Review of applications will begin November 1, 2025.

For more information on how to apply, please refer to the job ad on the UVic Careers website by clicking the button below.

UVic Careers

Jean-Paul Restoule, Chair & Professor

Jeaṉ-Paul shared articles and book chapters from this past summer:

Restoule, J.P. (2025). Indigenous adult education from potential pasts to possible futures. Cuestiones Pedagógicas, 1(34). 91-104. 

Stein, S., Andreotti, V., Restoule, J.P., Vukovic, R., McGregor, C., Francis Pelton, L., Hundza, S., Milford, T., Seager, W., Randhawa, J., Brunner, L., & Mohajeri, A. (2025). Deepening relational capacity to confront the polycrisis in higher education and beyond. Higher Education Research & Development. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2025.2525109 

Restoule, J.P. (2025). Barriers systemic and self-imposed: Understanding how teachers take up Indigenous perspectives in their teaching practice. In Sandra Styres and Ryan Neepin (Eds.). The Bloomsbury Handbook of Indigenous Education and Research. pp. 77-95. Bloomsbury. 

Dr. Belinda Daniels, Assistant Professor

Belinda has recent publications to share:

Belinda's most recent publication came out this past summer. It's entitled nēhiyawak Child Raising Practices and Lessons for Schools. Education Sciences, 15(8), 936. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15080936

She was also part of a Canada-wide cohort of specialists creating a tool kit entitled "Advancing Education for Sustainable Development in Canada: New Mindsets for a Better Future" which took place over the coure of the year with CCUNESCO. https://en.ccunesco.ca/initiatives/education-for-sustainable-development