The Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII) supports UNBC's reconciliation efforts by fostering meaningful relationships and advancing initiatives that honour Indigenous knowledge and traditions.
The Office takes an outward-facing approach, working directly with Indigenous communities and fostering partnerships that extend beyond the campus boundaries, while building essential community partnerships and holding the institution accountable to national and international Indigenous rights frameworks. The First Nations Centre (FNC) and Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII) work collaboratively under the portfolio of the Associate Vice President, Indigenous, to advance the Indigenization of UNBC's campus through complementary yet distinct approaches.
Mission statement
To support UNBC's reconciliation efforts by fostering meaningful relationships and advancing initiatives that honour Indigenous knowledge and traditions while creating an inclusive environment where Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples collaborate and learn.
Values
Guided by the principles of the Four R's Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity, and Responsibility as outlined by Kirkness and Barnhardt (1991), the OII prioritizes creating an inclusive environment where Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples collaborate and learn.
Accountability and integrity
The Office of Indigenous Initiative wants to be held accountable by being transparent, measurable, and community-driven in its reconciliation and indigenization efforts. This means reporting openly on progress and outcomes, setting clear goals and indicators. Engaging with Lheidli T'enneh First Nation regularly for feedback, guidance and ensuring long-term commitment with proper funding, timelines. OII will be working hand in hand with UNBC to achieve the Indigenization pillar of the Academic Action Plan, embedding accountability through advisory councils, governance structures, and clear leadership responsibility.