News Stories
5 Questions with Kelly Black
September 27, 2022
Kelly Black, a Vancouver Island University Adjunct History Professor, received the Anne and Philip Yandle Best Article Award from the BC Historical Federation this June. The article, “Explaining Settlers to Ourselves: Rethinking interpretive narratives at heritage sites” was published in the spring 2021 edition of British Columbia History magazine. Black has more than a decade of experience in... Read more
Tla’amin Nation gifts ʔayʔaǰuθəm name to local VIU campus
September 20, 2022
VIU’s campus in the qathet region will now be called tiwšɛmawtxw. The Tla’amin Nation Executive Council has gifted Vancouver Island University (VIU) the name tiwšɛmawtxw (teew-shem- awt-xw), which means House of Learning, for its campus located in ɬaʔamɩn ʔəms gijɛ (Tla’amin Territory). The gift is in the spirit of decolonization and reconciliation. Following a renaming ceremony on September... Read more
VIU hosts summer camps for Indigenous students
June 29, 2022
The camps are organized by the ‘su’luqw’a’ Community Cousins Indigenous mentorship program. A pair of free summer camps that aim to make the transition to university easier for Indigenous youth are returning to in-person delivery at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Nanaimo campus this summer. The Thuy’she’num Tu Smun’eem: Building a Foundation for our Youth summer camps take place July 18-22... Read more
Paper Excellence and Vancouver Island University create Indigenous Success Fund
June 21, 2022
Paper Excellence has partnered with Vancouver Island University (VIU) to create the Paper Excellence Indigenous Success Fund. The new scholarship fund is offering financial support to Indigenous students enrolled in trades programs at VIU. Paper Excellence has contributed $60,000 to the fund, which will be distributed over three years. “On behalf of Paper Excellence, we are very excited to be... Read more
Alum of the Month: Keanu Ienco
April 30, 2022
Ever since he picked up a guitar at age eight, music has been a passion for Keanu Ienco, who graduated from VIU in 2019 with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies. Earlier this year, Ienco, who is Métis and part Havasupai Native American, released his debut album, Celestial Desire, which he describes as an instrumental rock record. He shares more about his inspiration for the album and how VIU... Read more
New Program Prepares Next Generation of Climate Solution Global Leaders
April 21, 2022
A new partnership between three prominent island educational institutions marks Earth Day by investing in future climate action leaders to find solutions for the complex challenge of climate change. Two recently signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between pre-university school Pearson College UWC, Vancouver Island University (VIU) and Royal Roads University (RRU) formalized the collective... Read more
VIU Hosts a Conversation on the Future of Reconciliation in Canada
April 13, 2022
What: The Future of Reconciliation in Canada: A VIU Conversation When: Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 10-11:30 am Where: Online (Zoom webinar) Reconciliation is a complex concept with a variety of definitions, meaning different things to different people, but one thing many agree upon is that for reconciliation to become a reality, significant structural and societal changes are needed.... Read more
Provincial Government Funds Expansion of Shq’apthut, VIU’s Indigenous Gathering Place
April 8, 2022
Investment will enhance on-campus learning experience for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students Indigenous students at Vancouver Island University (VIU) will soon have access to more space as Shq’apthut (A Gathering Place) is expanded at the Nanaimo campus. The building is a home away from home for Indigenous students where cultural, academic, recreational and social activities are promoted and... Read more
UVic and VIU Deepen Relationship with Special Gifting Ceremony for New Chancellor
March 28, 2022
Cloy-e-iis, Dr. Judith Sayers, received a Talking Stick from UVic officials in a ceremony that followed Coast Salish protocol on March 24. A Talking Stick gifted by University of Victoria officials to Vancouver Island University’s Chancellor, Cloy-e-iis, Dr. Judith Sayers, solidifies a longstanding relationship between the two institutions and reaffirms a mutual commitment to reconciliation.... Read more
VIU Media Highlights: November 15-29, 2021
November 29, 2021
A roundup of VIU students and employees in the news. Top-performing Broadcast Story VIU alumnus Wawmeesh Hamilton was the featured guest on the November 23 edition of the Our Native Land podcast on CHEK News. Reach: 42,000 people. Top 10 News Stories Toronto Star (through local journalism initiative): Indigenous journalists essential in amplifying the stories of Indigenous people. See VIU... Read more