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- Colonial Injustices and Current Realities: University of Victoria Research Collective
In 2019, a Strategic Framework Impact Grant supported by the President's Office enabled the beginnings of the present day CIRC: UVic Research Collective to form. Committed to relational, transdisciplinary, and emergent research, we are a collaborative initiative focused on the colonial foundations and current realities of our university.
Our logo centres kewtlal (camas), an important plant to Lək̓ʷəŋən peoples and other nations of Vancouver Island. Encircled with dots that represent members of the CIRC collective, it symbolizes our relational commitments with Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, lands, and waters. The illustration was created by Julianna Nielsen (Political Science and Office of the Vice-President, Indigenous) and adapted as a logo by waaseyaa'sin Christine Sy (Gender Studies) and Pat Szpak (Humanities Computing and Media Centre).
We are grateful to those who share their knowledge about kewtlal and acknowledge the enduring and prolific efforts of Cheryl Bryce in this work. Empowering ethical relations with local Indigenous peoples and place includes sharing resources. Here are just a few (see QR codes below):
Cheryl Bryce shares the significance of kwetlal for reinstating Lək̓ʷəŋən food systems and Coast Salish ways of caring for the lands
Consider volunteering with Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT) to help steward ecosystems and support Indigenous-led conservation
The W̱SÁNEĆ Lands Trust Society: supports the return and care of W̱SÁNEĆ lands. It expresses W̱SÁNEĆ relationships with lands and waters, showing how non-W̱SÁNEĆ people can respect W̱SÁNEĆ rights and title.
PEPAKEṈ HÁUTW̱ is a W̱SÁNEĆ based non-profit engaged in restoration initiatives. See their website for volunteer opportunities on W̱SÁNEĆ homelands and important protocols.
Kwetlal grows slowly, taking up to seven years before blossoming its first flowers from seed, establishing its roots system and storing energy in its growing bulb. These illustrations situate the short bloom of its flower within this longer and so often invisible process of its development and growth.
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