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
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 […]
All My Relations
Hidden in plain sight by the Iona Building entrance, the All My Relations pole reveals a quiet yet profound story. One of the joys of working at UBC is unexpectedly coming across delightful things that you can’t really anticipate. This happened to me earlier this year when curiously wandering into the fortress-like Iona Building that […]
sʔi:ɬqəy̓ qeqən: Musqueam Post
Standing tall at the eastern entrance to campus, the Musqueam Post, sʔi:ɬqəy̓ qeqən (double-headed serpent post), welcomes all visitors to UBC. The Musqueam and the University of British Columbia acknowledged their developing partnership on April 6th, 2016, with the dedication of a striking cedar post installed prominently on the Point Grey campus, which is located […]
ʔəlqsən: Point Grey
Uncover the meaning behind ʔəlqsən (Point Grey), a Musqueam artwork anchoring one of UBC’s main points of arrival. In 2020, ten cast bronze pieces created by Musqueam artist Brent Sparrow Jr., collectively known as ʔəlqsən (Point Grey), were installed on concrete pillars lining the walkway separating the UBC Bus Exchange from the new MacInnes Field. […]