indigenous rights

For British Columbians feeling threatened by UNDRIP — don’t worry, there’s an escape clause!

Although B.C. has voted UNDRIP into law, Indigenous nations will still not have veto power over projects involving their lands The B.C. government stated its intention to write the UN…

It doesn’t take much to say thank you, Victoria

"I spent all afternoon thinking about what it means that the City of Victoria has not officially thanked the Songhees through a written plaque or maintained the welcome sign to…

NEWS UNSETTLED | Changing the name

UVic has decided to decline taking a stance of support Unist’ot’en. For me, this is a testament to the limits of reconciliation. For universities and many Canadian institutions, even the…

LETTER | To the UVic Board of Governors on denying support for the Unist’ot’en

As an institution supposedly committed to supporting the process of reconciliation, UVic must first reconcile its own complicity in silencing the voices of Indigenous matriarchs, and reconsider the decision to…

NEWS UNSETTLED | Understanding Unist’ot’en Part II

Understanding the weight and consequences of the situation on Wet’suwet’en land requires nothing less than diligent and critical research into Canada’s founding and the convictions of the settlers who justified…

Why we need to pay attention, Jody Wilson-Raybould isn’t the only one

If Wilson-Raybould couldn’t escape the circumstances plaguing her career, think about how many Indigenous women are currently in a workplace situation that demotes them, fires them, or forces them to…

NEWS UNSETTLED | These lands aren’t free

The Native Students Union regular column Canadian colonialism is not merely a historic event or relic of the past. It is an ongoing process that continues to negatively impact Indigenous…

Emotional gathering in Victoria for Stolen Sisters Memorial March

Hundreds gather in Victoria for the 12th annual Stolen Sisters Memorial March “It’s a tough day,” says Dwayne Joe of Cowichan Tribes. He is one of hundreds gathered outside of…

NEWS UNSETTLED | Lawless colonialism in Canada

In the wild west of Aboriginal law, Canada shoots first and asks questions later. For several hundreds of years, the Crown has disregarded Indigenous sovereignty in order to access land…