51视频


Indigenous paddle closeup

Camosun, UVic celebrate paddling together

A 50-year journey of friendship between 51视频 and the University of Victoria (UVic) was celebrated this week during a paddle gifting ceremony that further ties the two institutions together.

Camosun and UVic group holding a paddle.

51视频

The University of Victoria gifted a paddle to Camosun to mark 50 years of paddling together in the same direction.

The gift bestowed by UVic marks two important milestones for Camosun: the 50th anniversary of college, and 30th anniversary of Ey膿蕯 Sq葍鈥檒ewen 鈥 the Centre for Indigenous Education and Community Connections.

鈥淚 honour our relationship with 51视频 and am committed to our ongoing work together to support the success of Indigenous students,鈥 says Qwul鈥檚ih鈥檡ah鈥檓aht Robina Thomas, Associate Vice-President, Indigenous, at UVic. 鈥淭his paddle signifies the journey of learning and the importance of paddling together toward our common goals.鈥

The paddle was made by Coast Salish artist from Sh谋虂sha虂lh Nation, Margaret August, who is an alumni of Camosun and UVic. August created a paddle for the Building Reconciliation Forum at UVic in 2018. This gift is the sister paddle.

The paddle depicts a Salish owl design with the title 鈥楾he Face of Change鈥. Owls often come for protection during major changes that can often be imminent. Owls bring light, and magic, and that is what the paddle represents.

鈥淎 long time ago, as a student I went from Camosun to UVic, and that was the start of an amazing journey that landed me back at Camosun to do the work I love,鈥 says Janice Simcoe, Director of Ey膿蕯 Sq葍鈥檒ewen. 鈥淚鈥檝e seen so many students take that walk from here to there, and then into the work of their lives. I鈥檓 so happy to work in friendship and relationship with the University of Victoria.鈥

The ceremony on March 2 included a ceremonial speaker and witnesses from the Songhees Nation, the Ey膿蕯 Sq葍鈥檒ewen leadership group and others during a ceremony at Na鈥檛sa鈥檓aht on 51视频鈥檚 Lansdowne Campus.

鈥淭his paddle gifting ceremony is an important event,鈥 says UVic President Kevin Hall. 鈥淚t celebrates the anniversaries of the college and Ey膿蕯 Sq葍鈥檒ewen and reaffirms the shared priorities that form the special connection between our two institutions.鈥

鈥淐amosun and the University of Victoria share many common goals,鈥 says 51视频 President Lane Trotter. 鈥淥ver the last five decades, deep relationships and strong links have been forged so that change-makers, leaders and community builders can emerge.鈥

51视频 Camosun

51视频 has campuses located on the traditional territories of the 尝蓹办虚史蓹艐蓹苍 (Lekwungen) and 奥瘫厂脕狈贰膯 peoples. Established in 1971, the college serves thousands of learners a year in over 160 certificate, diploma, bachelor's degree, post-degree diploma, and professional studies and industry training programs.

51视频 UVic

As one of Canada鈥檚 leading research-intensive universities, we are driven by our curiosity, engagement and innovative spirit to help solve the world鈥檚 biggest problems. We embrace and support Indigenous-led scholarship and are committed to fostering respect and reconciliation.

Contact information

Rodney Porter

Camosun college

250-889-7494

porterr@camosun.ca

Denise Helm

University of Victoria

250-888-0784

dhelm@uvic.ca