Office of the Vice President Indigenous
Etalew虛tx史 | 脕TOL,脕UTW瘫
Etalew̓txʷ | ÁTOL,ÁUTW̱ | Centre of respect for the rights of one another and all beings, the Office of the Vice-President Indigenous (OVPI) provides guidance and oversight of UVic’s Indigenous portfolio, which includes student support services and programming, policy, Indigenous initiatives and procedural developments, and the implementation of the Indigenous Plan. Rooted in this teaching ʔetalnəwəl | ÁTOL,NEUEL | Showing respect for the rights of one another and all things, and honouring the laws and protocols of the local Nations, the OVPI works closely with local Indigenous communities, including the Songhees, Esquimalt and W̱SÁNEĆ Nations; the leadership of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and urban Indigenous organizations; Elders and Knowledge Keepers; and Indigenous faculty, staff and student representatives.
The OVPI sought the guidance of Čeyɫəm, Dr. Elmer George, and J,SIṈTEN, Dr. John Elliott, throughout the development of the OVPI portfolio. The Lək̓ʷəŋən word Etalew̓txʷ, provided by Čeyɫəm, and the SENĆOŦEN word ÁTOL,ÁUTW̱, provided by J,SIṈTEN, have been shared with us as a reflection of our commitment to aligning the university with the guiding protocols of these territories. Translated into English, these words mean “Centre of respect for the rights of one another and all beings.”
Learn about the OVPI's role and mandate
Vice-President Indigenous
Qwul’sih’yah’maht, Robina Thomas is a member of Lyackson First Nation. She has Snuy’ney’muxw ancestry through her grandmother Lavina Wyse and Sto:lo ancestry through her grandfather Charles Prest.
Robina was the inaugural director and executive director of the Office of Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement (IACE) and special advisor to the president. She still holds a faculty position in the School of Social Work where she started her career at UVic as a visiting lecturer in 1998 and accepted a tenure track position in 2001.
Robina's research has focused extensively on Indigenous women and children, residential schools, storytelling, Indigenous community engagement and anti-colonial/anti-racist practices as a way of life.
Robina’s accomplishments as the executive director of IACE and special advisor to the president have included:
- Leading the establishment of Etalew̓txʷ | ÁTOL,ÁUTW̱ | Centre of respect for the rights of one another and all beings, the Office of the Vice-President Indigenous (OVPI)
- Leading the establishment of the Office of Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement and facilitated the release of the university’s first Indigenous Plan
- Re-establishing the Indigenous Cultural Acumen Training program and piloting a program to pay Elders as Specialist Instructors
- Creating space for Indigenous representation on numerous university committees
- Co-chairing the National Building Reconciliation Forum
Our people
Director, Indigenous University Initiatives OVPI
Office: MWB
Acting Director, Indigenous University Initiatives OVPI
Office: MWB jrcniels@uvic.ca
Director of Indigenous University Communications IACE & OVPI
Office: FPH 135 hmashon@uvic.ca 250-472-5566
Administrative Assistant OVPI
My name is Joy, and I am a proud Nuu-Chah-Nulth woman, with roots in the Hesquiaht and Mowachaht. I am a wife, mother, and grandmother, deeply grounded by the love and teachings of my large family, who have shaped the person I am today. Since 2003, I’ve made my home in Lekwungen Territory, alongside my husband, who is a member of the Songhees Nation. I’m excited to begin my new role as the OVPI Administrative Assistant. Supporting and working with our people is something I truly love, and I’m passionate about helping our community grow and thrive. It’s an honour to be part of this team, and I look forward to building strong relationships, learning together, and contributing in meaningful ways.
Office: MWB jcharleson@uvic.ca
Senior Development Officer, Indigenous Initiatives OVPI
As the Senior Development Officer, Indigenous Initiatives, Kalaya is working with the Office of the Vice-President Indigenous and the Faculty of Education to secure major philanthropic gifts for Indigenous research, students and initiatives. Kalaya is Coast Salish and has recently graduated from Simon Fraser University’s Master of Business Administration in Indigenous Business Leadership. She is passionate about championing Indigenous students and sees a career with UVic as a way of lifting up Indigenous people and having a positive impact on the lives of Indigenous students.
Office: MWB kalayapoint@uvic.ca
Director of Indigenous Strategic Priorities and Community Engagement OVPI
As the Director of Indigenous Strategic Priorities and Community Engagement, I provide planning and operational strategies including community engagement, resource planning and writing reports. I am from the K'ómoks Nation on my father's side and settler ancestry on my mother's side. I am passionate about Indigenous student success and ensuring the UVic environment is culturally responsive to the Indigenous students, staff, faculty and communities.
Office: MWB lalita@uvic.ca
Director of Capacity Building OVPI
As Director of Capacity Building. Leah is seconded to this new position from her role Director, Human Rights on a one-year term to establish, lead and oversee a new comprehensive program aimed at enhancing a broad understanding of the baseline and required capacity for engaging in actions to advance the institutional plans from a value centred place. The position will jointly report to the Executive Director, EQHR and the Vice President Indigenous and is set to start September 1, 2024. Leah will play a crucial role in establishing this new role to advance our individual and collective capacity to challenge existing structures, foster new perspectives, and cultivate a more inclusive and equitable environment.
Office: MWB lmshumka@uvic.ca
Executive Assistant OVPI
’Uy’ skweyul (Good Day). As the Executive Assistant, I ensure efficient and effective operations within the Office of the Vice-President Indigenous, providing comprehensive internal and external administrative, scheduling, and communication support. I am Coast Salish from the Quw’utsun (Warm Lands) Territory also known as Cowichan, through my late Mother, and I am French Canadian through my late Father’s side. I am honored to be a part of the team at the OVPI and look forward to witnessing the work ahead and supporting the VPI. Huy tseep q’u.
Office: MWB vpiadmin@uvic.ca
Director of Culture, Protocol, and Community Relations OVPI
Office: MWB vpidcpc@uvic.ca
Project Coordinator OVPI
Office: MWB mfs@uvic.ca
Special Advisor to the Vice-President Indigenous OVPI
Office: MWB 220 whitinui@uvic.ca
Project Manager OVPI
As the Project Manager, I provide research support and collaborative implementation strategies for university-wide Indigenous initiatives, including the Indigenous Plan. I am Métis from Treaty Four and a member of Cowessess First Nation (last names Pelletier, Desjarlais and Lavallee) on my mother’s side, and German ancestry on my father’s side. I am grateful to be able to contribute to the important work this office is undertaking.
Office: MWB pjuhnke@uvic.ca
Contact us
Find contact information for the Office of the Vice-President Indigenous in the UVic directory.