Our Values

Indigenous Relations and UBC

The Indigenous peoples of Canada (considered “Aboriginal” by legal definitions), includes First Nations (status and non-status "Indians"; also a legal term, but considered offensive to many Indigenous people), Métis (a unique culture that developed among descendants of the First Nations and early European fur traders), and Inuit (from northern Arctic communities). Out of the ~600 distinct First Nations groups in Canada, around 200 nations exist within BC and have lived in this area for 10,000 years before European contact and colonization. Government policies that formed and continue to shape Canada have amounted to the genocide of Indigenous peoples (2019 National Inquiry). Many of these policies, such as forced sterilizations and residential schools, have officially ended (in 1973 and 1996, respectively), although their intergenerational effects are ongoing. The 2019 report also highlighted policies remaining in place today, including lack of police protection and the over-apprehension of children, that contribute to the ongoing oppression of Indigenous peoples in Canada. Reconciliation is the collective effort to engage with this reality, understand the continuing impacts of colonialism, and work collaboratively for a better future.

Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre

The City of Vancouver is within the overlapping traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and selílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, while UBC is situated on the land of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm. Land acknowledgments are the most common way members of the University can begin to participate in reconciliation with the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm people. At UBC, a land acknowledgment is usually given before public events, presentations, and ceremonies, and sounds like this:

We would like to acknowledge that we are gathered today on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people.

Land or territorial acknowledgments are important because they publicly give recognition that the University is on land that was taken from the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm people without a legal treaty (“unceded”), and this land still retains traditional and ancestral value to the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm. Recognizing and acknowledging the injustice inherent in UBC’s occupation of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm land is a necessary first step towards reconciliation. For students who may not be familiar with Indigenous peoples in BC and Canada, land acknowledgements can be a first introduction to this history. Still, they can be seen as an empty gesture if not followed by meaningful action. Therefore, it is vital to critically engage with actions and events on campus, and what can be done to actively support the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm and other Indigenous communities beyond land acknowledgments at UBC.

More information about reconciliation efforts

At UBC

• xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and UBC webpage
• UBC’s Indigenous Portal offers a broad introduction to Indigenous relations on the Vancouver campus, current events and news
• First Nations House of Learning. Visit and learn at the First Nations Longhouse
• Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre (IRSHDC) at UBC
• Principles for collaboration between the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm community and UBC
• Information about land acknowledgments at UBC
• UBC Indigenous Peoples: Language Guidelines. Learn why the terminology we use when referring to Indigenous peoples is important, and which terms are the most respectful. This booklet also contains a guide for giving land acknowledgments
• Find and learn about Indigenous public art on campus
• First Peoples Writing is a blog that showcases written and creative works by students in UBC’s First Nations Study Program

In Canada

• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action
• The Indigenous Foundations website is a great information resource on key topics relating to the histories, politics, and cultures of the Indigenous peoples of Canada

The World

• Wherever you’re from within Canada, the U.S. or other parts of the world, Indigenous peoples have lived there for thousands of years. Find out who those peoples are and take the time to learn more about the communities who call this land home

We aim to create an environment that promotes equity, diversity and inclusion for all of our community members, and to ensure people's rights are respected and that equity and inclusion are integrated into all aspects of the Institute.

IOF has an Institute-wide Respect, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) Committee. Additionally, the IOF Student Society has its own student-led committee – Justice Equity Diversity Inclusion (JEDI) Committee. Both of these committees are working to improve the climate of the department and to provide support to anyone who needs it.

These representatives will not take action on anyone’s behalf. They cannot file complaints or host meetings, for example. Instead, the mandate of the Committees is to provide guidance by sharing the options that are available on campus, attending meetings with you so that you are not alone (if you wish), accompanying you to appointments with university officials, or just lending a sympathetic ear if you need someone to talk to. Conversations with the REDI/JEDI Committee or Faculty Liaisons are confidential, unless you share that you have a desire to hurt yourself or someone else (in which case they are obligated to report it).

Respect, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (REDI) Committee

• Equity, Diversity and Wellbeing Committee (EDWC) Terms of Reference

The REDI Committee has been working to create resources that provide information about REDI policies, initiatives, and support within IOF and across UBC. Here are two documents that the Committee created (with assistance from the Equity and Inclusion Office):

• The Expectations and Resources for Creating a Respectful Climate: This describes university policies surrounding EDI, guidelines and resources for what students can do if they have a problem and/or need support, and what we, the IOF Student Society REDI committee, can do to help, along with our contact info. Importantly, the university has Codes of Conduct (for students, staff, and faculty) that we are all expected to adhere to, whether on or off campus and even when interacting with people who are not associated with the University. We encourage everyone to become familiar with these Codes of Conduct.
• The second document is an Introduction to Indigenous Relations at UBC, and we hope it will be a valuable resource for everyone, but especially those who are new to BC and/or Canada, and those who are unfamiliar with the University’s efforts for reconciliation (including territorial acknowledgments) and why they are so important and necessary. It includes a list of resources for Indigenous students at UBC, as well as resources for non-Indigenous students who would like to learn more and provide support.

Committee Members

Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee

The IOF Student Society's Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee has created resources that provide information about EDI policies, initiatives, and support within IOF and across UBC. Here are two documents that they created (with assistance from the Equity and Inclusion Office):

• The Expectations and Resources for Creating a Respectful Climate: This describes university policies surrounding EDI, guidelines and resources for what students can do if they have a problem and/or need support, and what we, the IOF Student Society JEDI Committee, can do to help, along with our contact info. Importantly, the university has Codes of Conduct (for students, staff, and faculty) that we are all expected to adhere to, whether on or off campus and even when interacting with people who are not associated with the university. We encourage everyone to become familiar with these Codes of Conduct.
• The second document is an Introduction to Indigenous Relations at UBC, and we hope it will be a valuable resource for everyone, but especially those who are new to BC and/or Canada, and those who are unfamiliar with the University's efforts for reconciliation (including territorial acknowledgments) and why they are so important and necessary. It includes a list of resources for Indigenous students at UBC, as well as resources for non-Indigenous students who would like to learn more and provide support.

All members of the IOFSS JEDI Committee are members of the broader IOF REDI Committee.

Committee Members

Resources

UBC Policies on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

UBC has a number of resources and policies related to harassment, discrimination and more. Please see below for further reading on these policies:

• UBC Student’s Guide to Discrimination and Harassment
• UBC’s Discrimination and Harassment Policy
• UBC’s Statement on Respectful Environment
• Respectful Dialogue and Debate: Principles and Practices
• UBC’s Policy for Responding to At-Risk Behaviour
• UBC Policy on Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment

UBC Codes of Conduct for Students, Faculty & Staff

All UBC students, faculty and staff are expected to adhere to their respective Code of Conduct (CoC) and can be held responsible for violating the terms of the CoC, even when not on campus and/or when interacting with people who are not associated with the University. Please familiarize yourself with relevant CoCs here:

• Student Code of Conduct
• Faculty & Staff Code of Conduct

What should you do if you experience behaviour violating these CoC’s? The most important thing to know is that if you have experienced behaviour that violates the CoC’s, you are in the driver’s seat; you decide how things proceed. You have a number of options, both formal and informal.

Informal pathways

Informal pathways are those that are done outside of making a formal complaint through the University. For example, you could request a meeting with the person who violated the CoC to talk about what you experienced. The EDI committee can help you find someone to mediate such a meeting and could attend to provide support if requested. If you would prefer to speak with someone outside of IOF, the Office of the Ombudsperson can provide informal assistance.

Formal pathways

You always have the option to place a complaint by following the University’s formal pathways, with or without contacting the REDI committee. Formal pathways depend somewhat on the type of behaviour and which policy it violates. You can make a complaint by reaching out to the following at UBC:
UBC has a number of formal pathways through which you can file complaints like the University Counsel and the AMS (Alma Mater Society), depending on your specific situation. Please see below for a list of resources:

Additional Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Resources

Accessibility is something we are committed to as an Institute, but also something we strive for in all that we do as a community.

Website

This website was designed with accessibility in mind. You may notice that the background is slightly off-white, to help those with colour blindness and dyslexia. We have also increased the line height, and colour contrast. All colours used throughout the website adhere to a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 between the background and foreground. We have also ensured to use proper headings to help facilitate screen reader navigation. We have also introduced a suite of directional URL link icons that will help you understand where will end up when you click.

• : This arrow means the link will take you somewhere within the IOF website

• : This arrow means the link will take you to an external website

: This indicates an email will be generated

And more accessibility tools are planned!

Physical Accessibility

The AERL building is equipped with an elevator which has access to all four floors of the building.

Hallways and paths in the IOF lofts are wide, and accessible by wheelchair or other mobility devices. IOF's Health and Safety team does regular inspections to ensure that these are clear and there are no tripping hazards.

Should you have any questions about the accessibility of certain rooms in AERL, please contact Scott Finestone, Manager Finance and Facilities, at s.finestone@oceans.ubc.ca.

Parking Lots

The parking lots closest to AERL that have accessibility parking are:

• AERL Parking Lot; there is a parking lot behind the AERL building, which is good for shorter term parking and has only one accessible parking spot.
• Michael Smith Lot; street parking located in front of the Michael Smith Laboratories near the UBC Bookstore. This is good for shorter term parking and only has one accessible parking spot.
• Health Sciences Parkade; Parkade located at corner of East Mall and Health Sciences with multiple accessibility parking spots. Best for longer term parking. Exit at southwest corner for easy access between buildings to AERL (follow signs to Beaty Biodiversity Museum).

UBC also offers an Accessibility Shuttle across campus by reservation, with a shuttle stop location outside of the Earth Sciences building on Main Mall located across from the AERL building. See here for more information.

At the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, sustainability is not only something we are committed to as an Institute, but also something we strive for in all that we do as a community. From encouraging low-emissions transportation to curbing carbon emissions to participating in local shoreline cleanups, we are constantly taking actions to become better leaders in environmental and social sustainability at UBC and beyond.

Sustainability at IOF

100% Ocean Wise Sustainable Seafood
When ordering seafood, the Institute ensures that what our community is consuming is Ocean Wise-recommended and therefore sustainably fished. As of 1 July 2019, UBC adopted a similar policy, in which it announced it would only purchase and offer 100% Ocean Wise recommended sustainable seafood in its food services.

Skipper Otto
We have a working relationship with Skipper Otto Community Supported Fishery (CSF), an organization founded in 2008 that supports local Canadian fishing families by connecting them directly to consumers. As the first CSF in Canada and the second worldwide, Skipper Otto aims to protect ocean resources and increase food sovereignty by creating an alternative to the dominant model of export-oriented industrial food production.

Local & Sustainable Catering
For our events we aim to support local and sustainable catering businesses, many of which are located within UBC and also source their produce locally, to reduce transportation-related emissions in our food consumption.

Low-Emissions Transportation
Many staff, faculty and students bike or take public transit to work, a step towards reducing emissions that the Institute strongly encourages. Please take a look at UBC's Transportation Maps and the City of Vancouver's Cycling Routes and Maps to learn how you can plan your route to UBC.

IOF Building Certified LEED Gold
The Aquatic and Ecosystems Research Laboratory (AERL) building, where IOF is based, is certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold and in 2011 received the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal in Architecture for sustainable design.

Student Society Beach Clean-Up
The IOF Student Society regularly organizes shoreline cleanups, to pick up garbage along local beaches like Wreck Beach, in order to help make our oceans cleaner and healthier. They also collect data as part of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup Project, the results of which contribute to a better understanding of what kinds of garbage are most prevalent on these beaches.

In 2018, an analysis of shoreline cleanup data by students Cassandra Konecny, Vanessa Fladmark and Santiago De la Puente found that cigarettes account for half of waste recovered on Vancouver and Victoria shorelines. This project, which arose from the Training Our Future Ocean leaders program at UBC, appeared in Marine Pollution Bulletin.

Sustainability at UBC

UBC Sustainability Initiative
Established in 2010, the UBC Sustainability Initiative aims to connect, curate and facilitate a wide breadth of sustainability programs and activities across campus.

Some of their projects and programs include:

• Energy Conservation Projects
• Sort it Out
• Bird-Friendly Windows
• SEEDS (Social Ecological Economic Development Studies) Sustainability Program
• Sustainability Plans, Policies and Reports

Ranked #1 in Climate Change Action and Sustainable Cities
In April 2019, UBC was ranked number one in the world for taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, and was also ranked first in Canada for making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, according to Times Higher Education (THE).

UBC Green Buildings
As part of UBC’s Sustainability Initiative, the university aims to create buildings that encourage human and ecological well-being, through initiatives like the Green Building Action Plan and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for all UBC buildings from 2008 onwards.

UBC Sustainability Fellowships
Part of UBC’s Sustainability initiative, Sustainability Fellowships are awarded to full-time UBC Vancouver faculty members who are leading the design of new sustainability courses and programs through an Interdisciplinary Education Grant.

Ways you can help!

From choosing sustainable transportation options to making better consumer choices, there are many things the IOF community can do in their everyday lives to be more sustainable.

Transportation

Food

Consumer Purchases

Resource Conservation

Social Sustainability & Citizenship

Getting Involved in Vancouver

There are many ways to get involved in sustainability beyond IOF and UBC, including:

• Participating in or organizing a Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
• Participating in the City of Vancouver's Green Volunteer opportunities
• Getting involved at at UBC Farm
• Getting involved at UBC Botanical Garden
• Participating in a Vancouver Parks Group like the Jericho Stewardship Group or Stanley Park Ecological Society

References:
[1], [2] "Ten Things You Can Do to Protect Ocean Health", written in collaboration by Ocean Leaders Fellows
Fiona Beaty, Cameron Bullen, Sara Cannon, Fanny Couture, Kaleigh Davis, Rocio Lopez de la Lama, Santiago de la Puente, and Heather Summers.