Articles
UBCIC and Heiltsuk Nation Announce Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond to Intervene in BC Human Rights Case Against Vancouver Police Department Over Racial Profiling and Wrongful Detainment
June 16, 2021
UBCIC and Heiltsuk Nation Announce Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond to Intervene in BC Human Rights Case Against Vancouver Police Department Over Racial Profiling and Wrongful Detainment
‘Where is their soul?’: Inside the failed push to make Catholic Church pay for its residential school abuses
Centre Academic Director Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Aki-Kwe, spoke to CBC News about the Catholic Church and the residential school settlement.
Federal government urged to criminalize mistreatment of graves like those found at residential schools
Centre Academic Director Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Aki-Kwe, spoke to the Globe and Mail about a human rights framework for mass graves.
Discussion paper looks at the legal and human rights framework for mass graves
The Centre’s latest discussion paper explores mass graves connected to Indian Residential Schools.
Statement on the Sisters of St. Ann and Royal BC Museum and Archives Agreement
The Centre welcomes the agreement which will provide enhanced access to the records of the Sisters of St. Ann Archives.
Statement on National Indigenous Peoples Day
The month of June is recognized as National Indigenous Peoples Month, with June 21 as a day to celebrate Indigenous Peoples.
Passing of Bill C-15 a milestone for Canada
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was passed on June 16, 2021.
UBCIC and Heiltsuk Nation announce Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond to intervene in BC Human Rights case against Vancouver Police Department over racial profiling and wrongful detainment
Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Aki-Kwe, will be applying to intervene on behalf of UBCIC in an ongoing BC human rights case against the VPD for the wrongful detainment of Maxwell Johnson and his granddaughter, outside a bank in Vancouver in December of 2019.
BC Civil Liberties Association awards Centre Academic Director
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Aki-Kwe, has received the 2020 Reg Robson Award.
New paper on terminology in relation to Kamloops Indian Residential School discovery
The Centre’s latest paper looks at international human rights and legal considerations in relation to terminology and the discovery of undocumented burials at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.
30-second bio: Tricia Logan
Dr. Tricia Logan, head of research and engagement at the Centre, was recently featured in UBC’s 30-second bios. Learn more about her work.
Statement from the Honourable Murray Sinclair
The Hon. Murray Sinclair spoke about his experiences with Survivors and the findings at Kamloops Residential School.
Kamloops Residential School records
Find records, resources and a timeline of the Kamloops School on our records and collections website.
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation established for September 2021
The Centre welcomes the passing of Bill C-5, to establish September 30, 2021 as a national day for truth and reconciliation.
Concerted national action overdue for all the children who never came home from residential schools
Joint news release from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre at UBC.
Mass grave of 215 children in Canada a stark reminder of the dark history of Native American boarding schools in US
Centre Academic Director Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Aki-Kwe, spoke to USA Today about the boarding school system for Indigenous Peoples in the US.
The discovery of a mass grave at a former residential school is just the tip of the iceberg
The Centre’s Academic Director, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Aki-Kwe, authored an opinion piece in the Globe and Mail.
Kamloops discovery prompts call for formal framework to investigate mass graves
“A mass grave is a crime scene, it is not a historic site or a heritage site,” Centre Academic Director Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Aki-Kwe, told Global News.
Health and wellness resources
If you are in need of emotional, mental or other wellness support, please consult this list of resources.
Statement on the Kamloops Indian Residential School burials
The Centre is saddened to hear about the recent discovery of 215 children buried at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.
The bodies of 200 children found at former Kamloops residential school
Centre Academic Director Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Aki-Kwe, spoke to CBC about the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation’s findings of burials.
Passing of Elder Theodore Fontaine
Residential school Survivor and author Theodore Fontaine has passed away at the age of 79.
Broadbent Institute honours Centre Academic Director with annual prize
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Aki-Kwe, has received the 2021 Ellen Meiksins Wood Prize.
Career opportunity: Cultural Support Program Coordinator for IRSHDC and UBC FNHL
Applications accepted until end of day May 13.
Eighth UNDRIP discussion paper looks at BC’s DRIPA and proposed federal government legislation, Bill C-15
‘Taking “All Measures Necessary” to Ensure Laws are Consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ is the latest paper in the Implementing UNDRIP in BC: discussion paper series.
Cultural heritage webinar series
The Global Conversations on the Return of Cultural Heritage webinar series includes researchers and professors from across the globe.