Indigenous names given to alumni awards
Čeyɫəm, Dr. Elmer George from Songhees First Nation bestowed the Lək̓ʷəŋən word and J,SIṈTEN, Dr. John Elliot from W̱JOȽEȽP/Tsartlip First Nation vetted the SENĆOŦEN word.
On April 8, 2025, the UVic Alumni Association announced two new names that will stand beside the Distinguished Alumni Awards title moving forward.
ɬíɬəl ʔa kʷs ƛ̓kʷəxnəq Skʷukʷəlstəŋəƛ̓ in Lək̓ʷəŋən translates to “gift for the successful student/alum,” while SIÁMĆEȽ in SENĆOŦEN translates to “highly respected alums who continue to do respected work.”
We are honoured to have worked with Čeyɫəm, Dr. Elmer George from Songhees First Nation, who bestowed the Lək̓ʷəŋən word and J,SIṈTEN, Dr. John Elliot from W̱JOȽEȽP/Tsartlip First Nation, who vetted the SENĆOŦEN word.
The UVic Alumni Association and Alumni Relations office has worked closely in collaboration with the Office of the Vice-President Indigenous and the Office of Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement to enhance our attention and gratitude to both local Nations and Indigenous alumni.
We strive to uphold the ideals of ʔetalnəw̓əl̓ | ÁTOL, NEUEL, by respecting the rights of one another, being in right relationship with all things, and by upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The UVic Distinguished Alumni Awards are held on Lək̓ʷəŋən territory, a land with ongoing significance to both the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples.