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Kia ora (Greetings)! As the Special Advisor to the Vice-President Indigenous, I provide advice and academic leadership in the implementation of the Indigenous Plan. This also includes furthering UVic’s commitment to ʔetalnəw̓əl | ÁTOL,NEUEL | "Respecting the rights of one another and being in right relationship with all things", and in areas pertaining to teaching, learning, research and community engagement. I grew up on the tribal homelands of Ngāti Awa based in Whakatāne, Aotearoa New Zealand, and carry Ngā Puhi, Te Aupōuri and Ngāti Kurī ancestry on my father’s side, and settler ancestry on my mother’s side. I’m deeply passionate about working collaboratively to develop culturally safe and inclusive initiatives, spaces, and opportunities where Indigenous Peoples (i.e. students, staff, faculty and community)can succeed and flourish as Indigenous Peoples. Mauri ora!

As the Director of Indigenous Strategic Priorities and Community Engagement, I provide planning and operational strategies including community engagement, resource planning and writing reports. I am from the K'ómoks Nation on my father's side and settler ancestry on my mother's side. I am passionate about Indigenous student success and ensuring the UVic environment is culturally responsive to the Indigenous students, staff, faculty and communities.

As the Director of Indigenous University Initiatives, I provide strategic advice, project management, writing and research support on a variety of issues, initiatives and projects led by the Vice-President Indigenous.

As the Acting Director, Indigenous University Initiatives, I provide strategic advice, project management, writing and research support on a variety of issues, initiatives and projects led by the Vice-President Indigenous. I grew up as a guest on Mowachaht/Muchalaht territories, and I carry Cree, Métis, and Ojibwe ancestry through my mother and Danish and English-settler heritage through my father. I am eager to support the good work to come!

As the Director of Culture, Protocol, and Community Relations, I provide strategic leadership and oversight for university initiatives pertaining to Indigenous culture and protocol, fostering collaboration and engagement within the academic community.

As the Director of Indigenous University Communications, I lead strategic communications that reflect Indigenous ways of knowing and being. I provide guidance on Indigenous specific strategic priorities aimed at positioning UVic as a leader in Indigenous reconciliation initiatives, research, programs, services, events and initiatives. I strive to ensure that our communications are culturally informed and reflective of the diverse Indigenous cultures represented within our UVic community and beyond. I am Cree from Saddle Lake Cree Nation on my father's side and Ukraine and Scottish on my moms. I have been a grateful guest on Lək̓ʷəŋən territory for the last 20 years. 

As the Project Manager, I provide research support and collaborative implementation strategies for university-wide Indigenous initiatives, including the Indigenous Plan. I am Métis from Treaty Four with familial connections to Cowessess First Nation (Pelletier, Desjarlais and Lavallee) on my mother’s side, and German ancestry on my father’s side. I am grateful to be able to contribute to the important work this office is undertaking.

’Uy’ skweyul (Good Day). As the Executive Assistant, I ensure efficient and effective operations within the Office of the Vice-President Indigenous, providing comprehensive internal and external administrative, scheduling, and communication support. I am Coast Salish from the Quw’utsun (Warm Lands) Territory also known as Cowichan, through my late Mother, and I am French Canadian through my late Father’s side. I am honored to be a part of the team at the OVPI and look forward to witnessing the work ahead and supporting the VPI. Huy tseep q’u.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Leah Shumka as Director of Capacity Building in Etalew̓txʷ | ÁTOL,ÁUTW̱ | Office of Vice-President Indigenous and Equity and Human Rights. Leah is seconded to this new position from her role Director, Human Rights on a one-year term to establish, lead and oversee a new comprehensive program aimed at enhancing a broad understanding of the baseline and required capacity for engaging in actions to advance the institutional plans from a value centred place. The position will jointly report to the Executive Director, EQHR and the Vice President Indigenous and is set to start September 1, 2024. Leah will play a crucial role in establishing this new role to advance our individual and collective capacity to challenge existing structures, foster new perspectives, and cultivate a more inclusive and equitable environment.

It is my pleasure to announce that Kalaya Point has been hired as the Senior Development Officer, Indigenous Initiatives. This is a new role at UVic which will see Kalaya working with the Office of the Vice-President Indigenous and the Faculty of Education to secure major philanthropic gifts for Indigenous research, students and initiatives. Her first day will be August 26th. Kalaya is Coast Salish and is currently enrolled in Simon Fraser University’s Master of Business Administration in Indigenous Business Leadership. She is passionate about championing Indigenous students and sees a career with UVic as a way of lifting up Indigenous people and having a positive impact on the lives of Indigenous students.

My name is Joy, and I am a proud Nuu-Chah-Nulth woman, with roots in the Hesquiaht and Mowachaht. I am a wife, mother, and grandmother, deeply grounded by the love and teachings of my large family, who have shaped the person I am today. Since 2003, I’ve made my home in Lekwungen Territory, alongside my husband, who is a member of the Songhees Nation. I’m excited to begin my new role as the OVPI Administrative Assistant. Supporting and working with our people is something I truly love, and I’m passionate about helping our community grow and thrive. It’s an honour to be part of this team, and I look forward to building strong relationships, learning together, and contributing in meaningful ways.

Tansi, hello everyone! My name is Matthew Simpson, my preferred pronouns are he/his. I am matrilineally Swampy Cree from Fisher River Cree Nation in Treaty 5 territory, Manitoba – one of many travelling grandchildren of the Crate sisters (southeast of the river) – and I inherit my surname as well as mixed Scottish and Dutch settler ancestry from my biological father. I am extremely privileged to belong to the Skedans Raven Clan of Haida Gwaii through custom adoption; I grew up a Mills boy, Bopper and Jo’s son, Kimi’s brother, and a member of the Skidegate Band.

I was first welcomed to lək̓ʷəŋən territory as a member of the Year 8 cohort of the Aboriginal Youth Internship Program in 2014, and I’ve been living as a grateful visitor to these lands ever since.

I finished high school at SKSS in Kamloops, BC in 2009, and my post-secondary journey began at Thompson Rivers University the following fall. I transferred to the University of Victoria in 2011 to pursue a degree in Anthropology, but my education detoured when I was given the opportunity to work for BC’s Friendship Centre movement, where I spent seven years hopping around various positions and cities, in work ranging from community-facing roles to writing and advocacy at the provincial level. I was given the opportunity to work at UVic on a term beginning in 2021, and I’ve been here full-time since 2022.

Even if our work doesn’t ever quite overlap, I am looking forward to connecting with you. 😊

Kikīcinanāskomitināwāw, Haawa, all my relations, in friendship