1000 Ravens for Reconciliation

The First Nations Centre invited UNBC students, staff, and faculty to create an origami raven as part of a goal to make 1,000 Ravens, symbolizing a university-wide wish for reconciliation. The project was inspired by an ancient Japanese legend that promises a wish to anyone who folds 1,000 origami cranes. Raven, an important figure in First Nations cultures, is known for teaching lessons through his trickster ways and for bringing light to a world of darkness. Once the 1,000 Ravens were completed, they were displayed prominently on campus. The First Nations Centre expressed gratitude to Beverly Best for initiating the 1,000 Ravens for Reconciliation project at UNBC.

Allyship and Interrupting Privilege: Walking Together Toward Truth and Reconciliation Workshop

UNBC’s Strategic Plan included one of its four themes focused on the meaningful enactment of Truth & Reconciliation. The Inspire & Ignite Investment Fund generously sponsored a workshop aimed at beginning the internal work of examining privilege and positionality. Participants engaged in unsettling their privilege and learning about allyship to help move forward individually and collectively in the work of decolonizing and Indigenizing the academy, as well as their own mindsets. The workshop featured a facilitated activity called the Privilege Beads Exercise, an Allyship presentation, grounding and mindfulness practices, quiet reflection time, and group discussions.

Sustainability in action at UNBC