In memoriam: Joyce Underwood

The university lost a dear and valued member of the community on Monday, May 18 with the passing of Joyce Underwood. Underwood was a founding member of the Elders’ Voices program, which brings the stories, songs, language, culture and traditions of Indigenous communities to life at UVic and at Camosun College. Her involvement helped shape the program, bringing elders from local communities to guide students, staff, faculty and administration in Indigenous ways of knowing and being. She was well known for having a kind word and a smile for everybody she met, and supported the spirit, work and life of the university in ways that are difficult to count.

Her funeral was held at the Tsawout First Nation gymnasium on Friday, May 22. The university flag was also lowered in her honour that day.