About

This project aims to engage and partner with Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students in UBC Science to learn more about their experiences, needs, and desires with respect to curriculum, pedagogy, research, educational programming, and advising. This initiative aligns with the UBC Indigenous Strategic Plan priorities and more specifically, to the UBC Science Strategic Plan Year 1 priority to “work to better understand priorities for embedding Indigenous perspectives and practices across the UBC Science community.” This project stems from the interests of Indigenous faculty and students in UBC Science who crave more opportunities to engage with one another, to share their ideas and concerns, and to advise on decolonization and reconciliation work in UBC Science. In addition, the project responds to the conclusions found in the UBC CTLT environmental scan of educational experiences and institutional responses to Indigenous engagement in curriculum, pedagogy, and classroom climate (Perreault, Yun and Williams, 2019).

With the support of Skylight, CTLT, and Science Advising, Indigenous faculty members and students will design and participate in monthly community gatherings. The gatherings will facilitate the exploration of the Indigenous student experience related to their post-secondary educational goals while upholding the call for continued active engagement by the Institution (Indspire, 2018). The gathering will invite Indigenous scholars and community members to provide feedback on particular UBC Science initiatives in decolonization and the broader UBC students support network. These gatherings will be organized and facilitated with care to ensure respect and reciprocity. We will be mindful to co-create a space and sessions that benefit students and that do not tokenize or isolate their experiences. We envision the use of sharing circles, mapping, open dialogue, storytelling, and Indigenous approaches of sharing to enrich the conversations. While the topics to be explored will be co-designed with the group, potential areas of discussion might include: student experiences in UBC Science courses (curriculum, pedagogy); faculty/student research presentations; career exploration; navigating how to incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing into UBC Science; and building scientific and community partnerships. Having this space will help to build stronger relationships among Indigenous scholars in UBC Science, to better welcome Indigenous students into our Faculty, and give us insight into how we can create more inclusive and safer environments for learning.

Objectives

• Form stronger connections and relationships among Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students in UBC Science, UBC Science advising, and the larger UBC Science community. 
• Via community discussions, explore Indigenous student experiences, needs, and desires with respect to learning and career explorations in Science.
• Provide opportunities for Indigenous students, faculty, and staff in Science to engage with and hear from Indigenous scholars and community members.