Among the twelve community/university collaborations funded so far this spring, UBC's Office of Community Engagement has announced two Nursing projects supported by the Partnership Recognition and Exploration (PRE) Fund.
July 13, 2023
Each year, the Office of Community Engagement awards over $70,000 to support a diverse range of community-university collaborations through its Partnership Recognition & Exploration (PRE) Fund. The PRE Fund empowers community partners to build reciprocal relationships with UBC students, faculty, and staff. Receiving up to $1,500 each, the recipients of funding are exceptional examples of how communities and UBC are working together to advance community goals. Since 2017, the fund has invested close to half a million dollars in over three hundred community/university partnerships, with approximately half of that funding going to IBPOC-led community organizations.
PRE-funded projects serve as an example of how communities and UBC are collaborating to promote equity, diversity and inclusion; Indigenous engagement and reconciliation; health innovation and community wellbeing; sustainability and climate action; and teaching, learning, and research excellence.
We are proud to note that the two students from the Faculty of Applied Science who received PRE funding this spring are both from the School of Nursing.
A two-eyed seeing mentorship: Opportunities to listen, learn, and witness ceremony with Elders
- Community Partner: Lorelei Hawkins, RayCam Cooperative Centre
- UBC Partner: Alysha McFadden, Student, UBC School of Nursing, Faculty of Applied Science, UBC-V
Elder Lorelei Hawkins, Raven Wing, is A-ni-wa-yah, Secwepemc, Okanagan; on her mother’s side she is originally from High Bar, Alkali Lake, raised in Inkaneep, South Okanagan, and sang a shore to Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish. On her father’s side she is A-ni-wa-yah with connections to the Freedmen. She is a medicine woman and a bundle carrier who wants to share her Indigenous knowledges & tools with community members (CM) & UBC students through a mentorship program. Elder Lorelei is a Board Member of RayCam Cooperative Centre with connections to multiple organizations in the DTES where she lives; she will reach out to organizations and CMs to see about their interest in participating in the process.
Within DTES context, there are few opportunities for CMs and UBC students to co-participate in shadowing and observing Elders in ceremony. Participants will have the opportunity to 1) listen, learn, and witness ceremony; 2) build up their knowledge base to take care of Indigenous CMs, and 3) become self-assured of their traditional knowledge base through support & mentorship. Through the creation of a sacred space, CMs can learn and apply the teachings ensuring intergenerational knowledge sharing, community witnessing, & leadership growth with positive presences for the long-term.
UBC students who have a pre-existing relationship will learn from Elder Lorelei and CMs, creating a relational Two-Eyed Seeing journey. The activities will occur over 6 months. In December there will be an acknowledgement ceremony for all those involved. We recognize that the process of reconciliation and decolonization belongs to everyone. As such, we recognize that reciprocal and equitable learning partnerships need to be created between the university and CM, particularly between non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples with an emphasis on how Indigenous knowledge systems are integral to all our wellness & well-being. We hope to 1) increase CMs and UBC students (e.g., graduate, nursing, medical students) awareness of Indigenous knowledges, practices, protocols, ways of being, relating, and doing; 2) foster new relationships through Two-Eyed Seeing between students, Elders, and CMs based on respect, reciprocity, & partnerships; 3) begin to support & strengthen CMs on their traditional knowledge & leadership journeys.
Indigenous public safety conference and national firefighting competition 2023
- Community Partner: Len Garis, National Indigenous Fire Safety Council
- UBC Partner | Student: Catherine Liao, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, School of Nursing, UBC Vancouver
The National Indigenous Fire Safety Council is planning the Indigenous Public Safety Conference, scheduled to take place in September 2023. This conference serves as a pivotal platform for Indigenous leaders in the field of fire safety and prevention, aiming to foster a robust community of practice.
The funding allocated to this initiative plays a crucial role in supporting various activities planned for the conference, particularly in terms of ensuring the availability of essential supplies necessary for the event’s successful execution. These funds will be utilized to cover a wide range of conference-related expenses, guaranteeing a seamless and professional experience for all participants.
The significance of this conference is addressing a pressing concern within Indigenous communities. Fire mortality and morbidity rates among Indigenous Peoples are almost ten times higher than non-Indigenous individuals. By facilitating meaningful dialogues and knowledge exchange, this event aims to stimulate concrete actions toward preventing burn injuries within Indigenous communities.
The Indigenous Public Safety Conference is a pivotal opportunity for industry professionals, stakeholders, and policymakers to exchange insights and explore effective strategies to combat this deeply concerning issue. Through collaborative efforts and shared expertise, we aspire to establish a safer environment for Indigenous Peoples, mitigating the devastating impact of fire-related incidents.