Indigenous Vision and Reconciliation Action Plan
Pearson College UWC is located on the traditional territory of the Sc’ianew (Beecher Bay) First Nation. As an international school offering a pre-university International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum to up to 200 students from across Canada and around the world, the College has always welcomed Indigenous students from Canada and other countries since the school’s inception in 1974.
Pearson is intentionally building upon the diversity of the College community to specifically focus on transforming Pearson College into a community of cultural safety for Indigenous people. To do so, the College has made a renewed commitment to ongoing recruitment and retention of Indigenous students, developing and adopting an Indigenous Vision for the College and building and following a Reconciliation Action Plan.
Reconciliation is ongoing, not a destination. Like all organizations, Pearson will continue to grow, change and develop so the Reconciliation Action Plan must be a living document. Over time, it must be monitored, evaluated, used and re-examined.
Pronunciation Guide to our SENĆOŦEN House Names
Truth and Reconciliation: A Personal Reflection
By Grace Goudie/YR 49 Canada - NL September 30th marked a day unfamiliar for many on campus, but important for all. In Canada, September 30th is National Truth and Reconciliation Day, a relatively new holiday for Canadian and International students alike, having only...
New Welcome Sign | Sneak Peak
The journey of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and communities takes many forms, including visual acknowledgements of the land we are on. The new SENĆOŦEN language residence house names gifted by the Sc’ianew First Nation and introduced last fall remind every...
Pearson Supports Proposed Indigenous Protected Area Through Land Commitment
Editor’s Note: Pearson College UWC is proud to support to an initiative that could see an Indigenous Protected Area established in this area which would include a 14-hectare College-owned undeveloped property adjoining the main campus. Please check out the full...
Sc’ianew First Nation Gifts SENĆOŦEN Language names, Artwork for Pearson Student Residences
On a special day, before a full house in the McConnell Theatre, Chief Russell Chipps of the Sc’ianew First Nation and Elders Rick Peter and Henry (Hank) Chipps officially celebrated with the campus community the gift of new SENĆOŦEN language names and artwork for five...
New House Names: Honouring Our Land
Editor’s Note: As many readers know, our campus is located on the unceded territory of the Sc’ianew First Nation. Recently, our Director of Learning Emily Coolidge shared a letter with the campus community on behalf of the Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan Working...
YE,TOST* — Guiding the Path
Editor’s Note: The story below was written in the wake of an announcement by the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation of the discovery the remains of up to 215 Indigenous children buried on the grounds of the closed Kamloops (British Columbia) Indian Residential...
We stand together in remembrance of our children
We grieve, remember, and stand in solidarity with those who suffered trauma and harm at the former residential school in Kamloops, or any other residential school in BC and Canada. Our hearts go out to the families and communities who are impacted by this discovery,...
From Plan to Actions – Students Join Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group
As most alumni and friends of Pearson College UWC know, we on campus are privileged to live and learn on the unceded territory of the Sc’ianew (Beecher Bay) First Nation. Last November, the College’s Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan was approved by the Board of...
Our Commitment to Reconciliation
“Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific and United World Colleges (Canada) acknowledges that its community lives, learns and works on the unceded territory of the Sc’ianew First Nation. The Sc’ianew people, although a distinct and independent nation, are part of a...
Indigenous Special Topics Day 2020 | A Reflection
On 11 November 2020, the entire campus community engaged in a student-led Indigenous Special Topics Day, starting with a sunrise ceremony called "Feeding the Water", panel discussions, workshops and a movie screenings.We especially appreciated that Board member and...
Indigenous Visions: Informing a Reconciliation Action Plan
Guided by consultant Marcia Dawson, Pearson College UWC is announcing two important actions in the journey to establish an Indigenous Visions: Reconciliation Action Plan at the College. The College will host and welcome Indigenous students, Indigenous alumni and other...
I’ve been on protest lines since I could walk
Interview by Silke Kegel Applying to UWC, being accepted to a UWC school and finally graduating after two years of studying hard and pushing yourself both mentally and physically shows enormous grit and determination. But every so often, students remind us that they...
SENĆOŦEN language
An overview of SENĆOŦEN language on firstvoices.com
Guide to Indigenous Organizations & Services
British Columbia Assembly of First Nations
Marcia Turner - Indigenous Advisor
In June 2019, the College started working with Marcia Turner, an accomplished Indigenous Leader, who will assist Pearson in developing the Indigenous Vision for the College on both individual and community levels.
CBC Indigenous
Native Land
Native Land Digital strives to create and foster conversations about the history of colonialism, Indigenous ways of knowing, and settler-Indigenous relations, through educational resources such as our map and Territory Acknowledgement Guide.
Sc'ianew First Nation Band
TE'MEXW Treaty Association
Learn more about the TE’MEXW Treaty Association.
Read the Press Release about the Indigenous Protected Area at Mary Hill.