Coast Salish Two-Spirit Mosaic
The Coast Salish Two-Spirit Mosaic challenges patterns of silence and affirms the First Nations Longhouse, X̱wi7x̱wa Library, and šxʷta:təχʷəm as places of welcoming, reflection, and respect. The Coast Salish Two-Spirit Mosaic is almost hidden in plain sight. Positioned at the end of q̓ʷeχt (Agricultural Road), where it meets sme:ntásəm (West Mall), the mosaic, measuring 7 […]
Indigenous Graduation Celebration Fall 2025
On Saturday, November 29th, starting at 11am, the First Nations House of Learning will be hosting a graduation celebration at the First Nations Longhouse to honour participating Indigenous graduates from the Fall Class of 2025. Indigenous students will be called into Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall through its ceremonial door, whereupon each will ceremoniously transform from student […]
‘Reconciling’ book launch with Elder Larry Grant & Scott Steedman
Join Musqueam Elder Larry Grant and Scott Steedman for a conversation upon the release of their book, Reconciling: A Lifelong Struggle to Belong. The book tells the story of Elder Grant’s life—a personal and historical story of identity, place, and belonging from a Musqueam-Chinese Elder caught between cultures. Signed copies of the book will be available […]
Indigenous exchange student dives head-first into UBC life—and finds connection
Expect ‘a safe and welcoming community across Indigenous spaces,’ says the undergrad from Sydney, Australia Some university students spend a semester abroad and keep to themselves. It can be intimidating, stressful and, at times, lonely. They might gravitate towards other international students and keep securely within their comfort zones or just stay in their room […]
Reconciliation Pole & θəʔit
In April 2017, UBC installed a symbolic art piece: the Reconciliation Pole. It represents the history of Indigenous people in Canada before, during, and after the Indian residential school era. The Reconciliation Pole, installed on the southern end of campus near the Forestry building, encourages everyone who comes across it to learn more about the […]
Thunder & Take Off
Thunder and Take Off are two unique works of art by Indigenous artists that have greeted patrons to the Thunderbird Arena since their installation for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, for which they were commissioned. Thunder (Thomas Cannell, Musqueam) Near the main entrance to the Thunderbird Arena, part of the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, […]
House Post of c̓səmlenəxʷ
Explore the century-long history of the first Indigenous art piece on campus. Approaching the entrance of “Salish” house in Totem Park Residence, at the western terminus of Thunderbird Boulevard, I found it easy to miss the unassuming “Man Meets Bear,” a four-meter-tall house post installed in 1974. At the time, I thought it was a […]
House Post of qiyəplenəxʷ
A welcoming figure representing an important Musqueam leader. The land that UBC is situated on has long been a place of defense for the Musqueam. In the past, it was a fortified area known as q’ələχən, where Musqueam warriors and their families lived to protect the land from intruders. On March 20, 2012, faculty, staff, […]
Victory Through Honour
Learn the story behind this pole and its connection to the UBC Thunderbird name. Outside of Brock Hall stands the Victory Through Honour pole, a significant gift connected to the Thunderbird name. On January 31, 1934, the University’s varsity sports teams became known as the UBC Thunderbirds. A high-ranking, mythical, powerful creature, the Thunderbird is […]
Raven Brings the Light
Tucked behind the Neville Scarfe Building, in a quiet garden, is an intriguing five-foot-by-five-foot mural that alludes to a fascinating story about how a clever trickster brought light to the world. The Raven Brings the Light mural, carved by Haida artist and former UBC student, Bernard Kerrigan, depicts this ancient legend associated with various Indigenous […]