Survivors' Flag

At the 2023 Orange Shirt Day celebration, Kilth-wii-taa Barney Williams from the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation gifted President Kevin Hall and UVic with a National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Survivors’ Flag. UVic temporarily raised the flag on campus and President Hall made a commitment was made to find a permanent home for the flag to serve as a memorial for individuals who have been harmed by residential schools.

UVic has sinced installed a flagpole in the UVic Quad, close to the Mearns-McPherson Library and adjacent to the area where Orange Shirt Day ceremonies are held annually. Elders from the Songhees Nation blessed the land prior to the flag pole’s installation.

Event

215+ banners

Following the raising of the Survivors’ Flag, the 215+ banners—created by Carey Newman and installed on campus in response to the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation’s discovery of more than 215 unmarked graves at the Kamloops Residential School site—will be de-commissioned and retired. 

Commitments

UVic pledges to uphold ʔetal nəwəl | ÁTOL,NEUEL | respecting the rights of one another and being in right relationships with all things. We're working to foster truth, respect and mutual understanding with all Indigenous peoples and communities. This pledge reinforces UVic’s commitment to implement core local, national and international responsibilities and calls to action that support the rights and sovereignties of Indigenous Peoples—for example, UNDRIP, DRIPA, the MMIWG Report and the TRC Calls to Action. 

Distinctly UVic | A Strategy for the University of Victoria | 2023 Forward is a call to live in right relationship, to exist sustainably and equitably, and to use our experience and creativity to spark positive change. This strategy, together with Xʷkʷənəŋ istəl | W̱ȻENEṈISTEL | Helping to Move Each Other Forward: UVic’s Indigenous Plan guides our path forward.

Supports

Our priority is supporting the UVic Elders and Indigenous students, staff and faculty. Support for students, staff and faculty who have been impacted by the effects of residential schools can and should include the flexibility required to attend to ceremonial and community needs, to grieve and support others in their lives.

If you find that you need emotional support, there are services available.

Resources

Indigenous resources

KUU-US Crisis Line 
The KUU-US Crisis Line Society operates a 24-hour provincial aboriginal crisis line for adults/Elders and youth.
Adults/Elders: 250-723-4050
Child/Youth: 250-723-2040
Toll Free Line: 1-800-588-8717

Indian Residential School Survivors Society Crisis Line
24-hour crisis line for survivors and family of survivors.
Toll Free 1-866-925-4419

First Nations Health Authority Mental Health Benefits
FNHA partners with Indigenous Services Canada to offer a comprehensive mental health plan to First Nations in BC. The plan covers counselling services from a qualified mental health provider, including psychologists, clinical counsellors and social workers. 

UVic Resources

Counselling for Indigenous Students
Indigenous counsellors provide individual and group counselling that treat the heart, body, mind and spirit for Indigenous students. Indigenous counselling sessions are flexible in length, you are seen on the spot for emergency appointments and in general, you are able to meet with the Indigenous Counsellor without having to wait too long.

Employee and family assistance program
UVic staff and faculty and dependents can find support through our employee and family assistance program (EFAP). The program is designed to provide you with information, advice and support to help you navigate many of life's milestones. EFAP is a confidential program that includes professional counselling, information and referral services. UVic’ s EFAP provider is LifeWorks.

SupportConnect
SupportConnect is a free, confidential mental health support service for UVic students. You can connect with qualified counsellors, consultants and life coaches by phone or online 24/7. Video or in-person options are available.
Toll-free (calls from North America): 1-844-773-1427
International collect calls: 1-250-999-7621

UVic Counselling Services 
Located in the new Student Wellness Centre at 2300 McKenzie across the street from the CARSA gym. Counselling sessions for UVic students can be booked by calling the number above. Indigenous counsellors are available.
250-721-8563 

Here2Talk
Connects students with mental health support when they need it. Through this program, all students currently registered in a BC post-secondary institution have access to free, confidential counselling and community referral services, conveniently available 24/7 via app, phone and web.

Learning resources

Every Child Matters: Honouring Children Missing from Residential Schools
UVic Libraries have put together a list of educational and scholarly resources related to the remembrance of the many children missing from Canada's residential schools.

Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Funding 
The Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Funding launched in June 2021 to support Indigenous communities to locate missing children at Indian Residential Schools as identified in the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission: 10 Principles of Reconciliation
In preparation for the release of its final report, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada developed a definition of reconciliation and a guiding set of principles for truth and reconciliation.

Other resources

Vancouver Island Crisis Line
24-hour crisis line service to Vancouver Island, the islands of the Georgia Strait, and the mainland communities between Powell River and Rivers Inlet, as defined by Island Health. It operates 365 days a year. Crisis workers provide short-term nonjudgemental emotional, support, crisis intervention, information and resources.
1-888-494-3888