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Indigenous Wellness Engagement Group

The health, well-being and equitable treatment of all people is at the heart of UVic’s Indigenous Plan. 

The Indigenous Wellness Engagement Group (I-WEG) was created in late 2023 under the leadership of the Etalew̓txʷ | ÁTOL,ÁUTW̱, the Office of the Vice-President Indigenous to focus on advancing Indigenous wellness in education, practice and research.

The vision of the group is to elevate the Faculty of Health to become a national beacon of inclusivity and excellence in Canada.

At UVic, we continue to honour the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action while putting a stronger focus on the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People Act (DRIPA) Action Plan—actions that uphold the self-determining rights of Indigenous People, including in health and wellness. 

Drawing on the concept of the Sacred Cycle, which reflects the ways that we keep the past, the present and the future connected through our teachings and practices, UVic has committed to four priority areas: people; learning and teaching; research and re-searching; and governance and operations. 

We encourage you to read UVic's Indigenous Plan for insight into how we are helping to move each other forward.

Indigenous health strengths

UVic has been leading the way in efforts to decolonize and Indigenize education in health-related disciplines for many years.

• our health and wellness programs respond to the TRC's Calls to Action; every student in the Faculty of Health takes a TRC course
• the School of Social Work was among the first schools the country to offer Indigenous specializations for Indigenous students through its bachelor degree program
  • the Master’s of Social Work Indigenous Specialization is open to social workers working in Indigenous social work settings
• the School of Nursing offers a Master of Nursing degree in the Advanced Practice Nursing, Indigenous Wellness stream
  • applicants must be registered nurses who self-identify as First Nations, Métis and Inuit students

Indigenous mental health

In 2021, UVic alumnus Bruce McKean gave UVic $1.5 million to establish the Chief Mungo Martin Research Chair in Indigenous ºìÐÓÊÓƵ Health. Anishinaabe-Métis scholar Emily Haigh was selected as the inaugural chair in 2022 to develop mental-wellness research and learning that is informed by engagement with Indigenous partners and communities. 

Indigenous student supports

The Faculty of Health’s Indigenous Initiatives team is dedicated to supporting Indigenous students on their educational journey. A cultural space in the Human and Social Development building is open for Indigenous students during the week. Visit our Indigenous students page to find out more about cultural events, academic supports, and health and financial services available to Indigenous students.

Indigenous-led research

At UVic, scholars work closely with international, national and local research partners and facilitate community‐engaged and community‐led research that prioritizes Indigenous ways of knowing, decolonization and cultural resurgence.

From the Fireweed Project's efforts to remove barriers to abortion services for Indigenous women, two-spirit and LGBTQIA+ people in Canada to the launch of an Indigenous wellness master's nursing stream, Indigenous researchers are leading the way on pressing health and wellness issues. 

Willow Paul’s journey from undergraduate research assistant to UVic master’s student highlights the transformative power of mentorship and community-driven research.