The University of Victoria and Ts’uubaa-asatx Nation, formerly known as Lake Cowichan First Nation, have signed a five-year collaboration agreement which they say is a step towards a shared future of mutual respect, learning and growth.
The agreement outlines a framework for "joint initiatives, including educational programs, research projects and community engagement activities," according to a news release from UVic.
“This collaboration agreement is not just a document; it is a commitment to ongoing dialogue, mutual respect and shared success. We are here to learn and take guidance from Ts’uubaa-asatx Nation. This document is a beautiful way of coming together and reaffirms the commitment to working together in a good way with good hearts and good minds,” said UVic's vice-president Indigenous Qwul’sih’yah’maht, also known as Robina Thomas, in the release.
The agreement came as the university considers future use of a 25-acre property located in Lake Cowichan, donated to the school in 1967, serving as a base for field studies and resource management for nearly five decades. Use of the property has declined over the years, prompting UVic to consider its future while recognizing the cultural and historical significance of the land to the Ts’uubaa-asatx peoples.
“Ts’uubaa-asatx is excited to enter into a multi-year collaboration agreement with UVic built on the guiding principles of respect, collaboration, commitment, transparency, culture, education and values for not only the property at Ch’itupt nit, but also in our approaches to education on all fronts. We look forward to moving the relationship forward on collaborative projects, ideas and values on key areas. Ts’uubaa-asatx sees this as the beginning of a great relationship that will grow in the near and foreseeable future," said Aaron Hamilton, operations manager of Ts’uubaa-asatx Nation, in the release.
