Reconciliation at Pearson College UWC

Indigenous Vision and Reconciliation
at Pearson College UWC

 

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.

Honouring SENĆOŦEN Language

In 2021, a collaboration between the College and the Sc’ianew First Nation (the Salmon people) brought forth unique house names inspired by local salmon species. Learn more about the creative process, the symbolism behind each house, and the cultural significance that unites our community in this journey towards reconciliation.

Salmon Designs | A History

ŦEḴI¸ House

ŦÁ¸WEN House

SȾOḰI¸ House

HENEN¸ House

QOL¸EW̱ House

Our Stories

We stand together in remembrance of our children

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,...

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Our Commitment to Reconciliation

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...

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Indigenous Special Topics Day 2020 |  A Reflection

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...

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Indigenous Visions: Informing a Reconciliation Action Plan

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...

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I’ve been on protest lines since I could walk

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...

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Community Partnerships & Resources

SENĆOŦEN language

An overview of SENĆOŦEN language on firstvoices.com

British Columbia Assembly of First Nations
IndigiNews

IndigiNews website that can be viewed here.

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.

Victoria Native Friendship Centre
Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action