We acknowledge that UBC’s campuses are situated on the traditional, unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh, and on the territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation.
Explore anti-racism and inclusive excellence at UBC, including UBC’s commitments, news and events, and access to resources and support.
UBC Statements
Read more about UBC’s positions on important issues and events related to anti-racism.
Leadership
Co-Executive Leads
The Executive Co-Leads will provide a critical bridge between the UBC executive, the Task Force on Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence, and our Indigenous, Black and People of Colour (IBPOC) community members.
Dr. Rehan Sadiq, Provost and Vice-President, Academic pro tem
Dr. Ainsley Carry, VP Students
Task Force on Anti-Racism & Inclusive Excellence
The Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Task Force was created as part of the response to the institutional commitment to build a more inclusive university community. The work of the Task Force is supported by the Office of the President and the Co-Executive Leads for Anti-Racism.
virtual launch of UBC’s Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence task force report
On April 22, 2022, UBC celebrated the virtual launch of the Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) task force report. The event featured remarks from the task force co-chairs and UBC leadership, as well as a panel discussion about the recommendations.
“We must work together to dismantle the tools of oppression and white supremacy that remain prevalent and entrenched in our everyday systems.”
DR. SANTA ONO
UBC President and Vice-Chancellor
In the News
Research creates pathway for Indigenous knowledge in nursing education | Castanet
UBC releases Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Task Force report | UBC
UBC marks Black History Month with success of new scholarship program for Black students | Vancouver Sun
Rooted Sentiments exhibit opens at UBCO’s FINA gallery | UBC Okanagan
Love, Land & Spirit: Exploring Indigeneity through the podcast medium | The Ubyssey
Canadian higher education makes major push for equity | Times Higher Education
Anti-racism initiatives receive funding | UBC Okanagan
Okanagan initiatives
Annual Report on UBCO’s Declaration of Commitments to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action
On March 1, UBC Okanagan released its second annual report in a virtual session that discussed UBCO’s continuing progress toward fulfilling our TRC commitments.
FACULTY actions
Destination UBC 2022: Prioritizing UBC’s Inclusion Action Plan
Every year, Student Recruitment and Advising (SRA) hosts Destination UBC—an event that allows admitted students to experience the UBC community first-hand. This year’s Destination UBC events were completely redesigned by SRA in order to prioritize upholding UBC’s Inclusion Action Plan across both UBC campuses. SRA created a dynamic series of events that fostered new friendships, as well as established meaningful family and community connections with UBC.
May 16 to June 22—Indigenous Art Intensive
UBC Okanagan’s Indigenous Art Intensive offers an educational series of courses, lectures, art shows, and opportunities to create art. It features a series of world-renowned speakers, a variety of related undergraduate and graduate credit courses, and a group of resident artists who will be working to create a new body of work.
June 1—Indigenous Art Intensive Keynote Speaker: Steven Loft
Join the Indigenous Art Intensive for a series of artist talks, panel conversations and keynote presentations throughout the months of May and June. The Indigenous Art Intensive features a series of world-renowned speakers, including Steven Loft.
June 15—Indigenous Art Intensive Keynote Speaker: Tracy Kim Bonneau
Join the Indigenous Art Intensive for a series of artist talks, panel conversations and keynote presentations throughout the months of May and June. The Indigenous Art Intensive features a series of world-renowned speakers, including Tracey Kim Bonneau.
June 15—Indigenous Art Intensive Panel Discussion: Givn’r! Embodied Connections
Join the Indigenous Art Intensive for a panel discussion with participating artists Terrance Houle, Carola Jones, and Charlene Vickers.
Funding Opportunities
Funding is available to students, faculty and staff members at UBC to support equity enhancement and anti-racism initiatives. Learn more about the available funds and how they may be applied to your projects.
Intercultural Excellence Fund (UIEF)
The UIEF provides grants for academic units and departments to develop or grow initiatives that focus on intercultural learning and experiences that bridge cultures.
ANTI-RACISM INITIATIVES FUND
UBC’s Anti-Racism Initiatives Fund supports initiatives that seek to celebrate and elevate diverse communities and advance anti-racism efforts at our UBC Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
Experience UBCO Access Excellence Fund
This fund supports faculty and staff in developing new initiatives aimed at increasing access and participation in post-secondary education for underrepresented and equity-deserving students.
EQUITY ENHANCEMENT FUND
The Equity Enhancement Fund (EEF) supports community-based initiatives that enhance equity, diversity and inclusion at UBC.
Suggest a Speaker
If you would like to propose topics or speakers for future webinars, please contact our office. In your email please include the proposed topic area, its relevance and proposed speakers.
Join a Club
Find community at one of the many student-led cultural clubs at UBC Okanagan.
Webinars on Addressing Systemic Racism
Indigenous History Month
Events:
The Importance of Embedding Indigenous History in Courses and Curriculum Across the Disciplines
Reflections on National Indigenous Peoples Day
watch the recordings
Asian Heritage Month
Events:
Opening Event: Asian Heritage Month
Chinese Voices of the Okanagan: A Showcase
The Story of Bhangra
Rediscovering Chinatown
UBC Okanagan Artist Showcase
watch the recordings
The Importance of stem education for indigenous youth in canada
panelists:
Dr. Jane Philpott, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Director of the School of Medicine at Queen’s University
Dr. Jason Pennington, Assistant Professor, General Surgery at the University of Toronto
watch the recording
persepctives of black scientists: science and Systemic RAcism
panelists:
Dr. Maydianne Andrade, Professor; President, Canadian Black Scientists Network; Co-Chair, Toronto Initiative for Diversity & Excellence; Special Advisor to the Dean, Inclusive Recruitment & Equity Education, University of Toronto Scarborough
Dr. Namandjé Bumpus, E.K. Marshall and Thomas H. Maren Professor and Director, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Dr. Emmanuel Osei, MITACS & Michael Smith Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, UBC.
WATCH THE RECORDING
Indigenous persepctives: science and Systemic RAcism
panelists:
Albert Marshall, Elder, LLD, Mi’kmaw Nation
Jeannette Armstrong, Canada Research Chair in Okanagan Indigenous Knowledge and Philosophy, UBC Okanagan
Aaron Prosper, Graduate student, University of Prince Edward Island & project manager of the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Nation Cancer Care Strategy
WATCH THE RECORDING
institutional persepctives: science and Systemic RAcism
panelists:
Ian Foulds, Principal’s Research Chair – Indigenous Reconciliation in Engineering (Tier 1), UBC Okanagan
Magdalena Skipper, Editor in Chief, Nature
Alejandro Adem, President, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)