Indigenous Students

Land Acknowledgement – xʷməθkʷəy̓əm

UBC Dentistry would like to acknowledge that we live, work, and learn on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. For more information click here.

Resources

Below are some resources for Indigenous students:

Services and Spaces:

Indigenous UBC Portal: This page provides information and resources for Indigenous students, including program advising information.

First Nations House Of Learning: The First Nations House of Learning (FNHL) is based in the First Nations Longhouse, located at 1985 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2. There, Indigenous students can find notable initiatives and resources such as:

  • The biannual Indigenous graduation celebration event
  • Wellness events
  • Student meals
  • Tutoring sessions (based on demand)
  • Resource referrals
  • Accredited counsellors
  • Student health nurse (weekly)
  • Student financial advisor (weekly)

Vancouver Indigenous Student Collegia (VISC): the VSIC is open to any Indigenous student who identifies as Indigenous, providing an opportunity to engage with peers and upper-year students, ask questions, learn about resources, and enjoy social events together. First-year Indigenous students are encouraged to participate in UBC Collegia, while Indigenous students at all levels are welcome at šxʷta:təχʷəm Collegium, located at the UBC First Nations Longhouse.

Financial Information:

Click here for information about Financial support available to Indigenous students.

Awards for Indigenous students: Available awards for Indigenous students include scholarships and bursaries. Here you can find all of the different external awards and portals for Indigenous students listed in one place for students.

  • If you need any support with writing a personal statement, please reach out! They can set up one-on-one support and guidance.

  • If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact advisors at es.indigenous@ubc.ca. 

General Financial Resources: Here you can find resources collected by our department to help students

Aboriginal Graduate Fellowships: The University offers multi-year fellowships to Indigenous Masters and Doctoral students.

Indigenous Dental Association of Canada:

Click here for  Indigenous Dental Association of Canada.

Xwi7xwa Library Resources:

Xwi7xwa Library is a centre for academic and community Indigenous scholarship. Its collections and services reflect Aboriginal approaches to teaching, learning and research. Below are some useful materials:

Xwi7xwa is available to virtually visit your class. They offer introductions to the library branch (good for new students, and undergraduates) and assistance in finding resources at UBC Library (tailored to class assignment, topic, and/or course).

 

Library Hours:
Monday to Thursday 9am - 9pm; Friday 9am - 5pm; Saturday 11am - 5pm; Sunday 10am - 9pm

For more information, further resources and upcoming events feel free to contact:
karleen.delaurier-lyle@ubc.ca OR xwi7xwa.library@ubc.ca

Wellbeing Resources & Help Lines:

Indigenous Counsellor: 

UBC Counselling Services has an Indigenous Counsellor available! Renée Avitan (she/her/hers) is an Indigenous counsellor at UBC who works regularly with Indigenous students. Currently, Renée is offering her appointments by phone, over Zoom, and in person. To make an appointment, please phone UBC Counselling Services at (604) 822-3811 during regular working hours. For other concerns, please email Renée at .

Healing and Wellness Resources: https://irshdc.ubc.ca/for-survivors/healing-and-wellness-resources/

Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. It is available 24/7 and services are offered in English and French, and by request in Inuktitut, Cree, and Ojibway. Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.

National Indian Residential School Crisis Line (IRSSS) - Access emotional support and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line at 1-866-925-4419.

KUU-US Crisis Line Society - The KUU-US Crisis Line Society operates a 24/7 Aboriginal crisis line serving the entire province. Please see more online information at https://www.kuu-uscrisisline.com/

  • BC Wide Toll Free: 1-800-KUU-US17 (1-800-588-8717)

Métis Crisis Line - The Métis Crisis Line Society operates 24/7, offering immediate crisis intervention, but also a variety of other issues like relationship troubles, depression and anxiety, financial issues, and bullying and peer pressure support. Please see more online information here.

  • Métis Crisis Line BC Toll Free: 1-800-721-0066

Alternatively, individuals can be directed to the Adult/Elder Crisis Line: 250-723-4050 or the Child/Youth Crisis Line: 250-723-2040.

Native Youth Crisis Hotline (1-877-209-1266) - Answered by staff 24/7 and available throughout Canada and the US.

First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day provides virtual health care and referral support for people who do not have a doctor or are unable to get an appointment.

  • It is for all First Nations people living in BC and their family members, including family members who are not Indigenous.
  • Doctors are available by video or phone from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day.
  • Call 1-855-344-3800 to book an appointment. Learn more at fnha.ca/virtualdoctor.

Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society provides confidential outreach services in BC, such as counselling, cultural supports and personal wellness programs. Call toll-free 1-888-403-3123 or visit www.tsowtunlelum.org.

BC Crisis Line (1-800-SUICIDE) - If you are in distress or worried about someone in distress who may hurt themselves, call anytime 24 hours a day to connect to the Crisis Line.

The Crisis Line Association of BC (310-Mental Health)

  • Call 310-6789 (no area code needed) toll-free anywhere in BC 24/7 to access emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health and substance use issues.

First Nations Health Authority - The FNHA, located in West Vancouver, provides information about health programs for First Nations across BC including mental wellness and substance use. You can access a list of providers registered to offer services through their mental health benefits program at www.fnha.ca/benefits/mental-health or call 1-855-550-5454 for more information.

  • Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) is a partner with the FNHA in providing access to counselling, cultural and emotional support services to former students of residential and day schools in BC, and their families, regardless of status. Call toll-free 1-800-721-0066 or visit www.irsss.ca.

  • Virtual Substance Use & Psychiatry Service is an FNHA service providing virtual specialist support in addictions medicine and psychiatry to First Nations people in BC and their family members. This service requires a referral from a health and wellness provider. The first Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day provides referral support for anyone who does not have a provider.

UBC Student Assistance Program (UBCSAP) - call 1-833-590-1328 toll-free in North America, or call collect 1-604-757-9734 outside of North America. Free, 24/7 personal counselling and life coaching, accessible anywhere in the world, offered in many languages through phone, video counselling, or e-counselling.

Here2Talk.ca or call 1-877-857-3397 - Get started with free, 24/7 single-session counselling by phone or online chat for all UBC students globally.

Services Covered by First Nations Health Benefits:

INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS RESOLUTION HEALTH SUPPORT PROGRAM provides access to cultural supports and mental health counselling for former students of Indian Residential Schools. The program is available to anyone who attended a school listed in the 2006 Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement, and their family members.

  • Call the FNHA Indian Residential Schools Information Line toll-free at 1-877-477-0775.

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS COUNSELLING IN BC may be eligible for Health Benefits coverage. Many providers are registered to bill Health Benefits directly for services so clients do not have to pay out of pocket.

  • Before booking an appointment with a counsellor, call 1-855-550-5454 or visit fnha.ca/benefits to check if they are registered and if the service is eligible for coverage.

MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND GIRLS HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES is a national program administered in BC by First Nations Health Benefits. Services are available to survivors, family members and others who have been affected.

  • Call Health Benefits toll-free 1-855-550-5454 for more information.

Indigenous Student Experience at UBC

UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan

Indigenous Strategic Plan:UBC is taking steps to contribute to the advancement of Indigenous peoples’ human rights. This plan sets out a series of eight goals and 43 actions the university will collectively undertake. The plan was created with input from more than 2,500 students, faculty, and staff across our campuses – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous – as well as from Indigenous community partners.

Read it here: Indigenous Strategic Plan [PDF File]