Professor Johnny Mack appointed as Academic Director at the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre
Professor Johnny Mack has been appointed Academic Director at the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre (IRSHDC), effective May 1, 2025, for a three-year term. Situated at the intersection of academic inquiry, historical truth-telling, and community engagement, the IRSHDC plays a vital role in advancing UBC’s academic mission by supporting Indigenous Peoples’ rights to […]
Statement from the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre
The history of the Indian Residential School system in Canada is not a matter of opinion or debate. The documented facts – including Survivor testimonies, government and church records and physical evidence of unmarked burials – are well-established and publicly accessible. These facts have been acknowledged by federal and provincial governments, churches and independent commissions, […]
Indian Health Regulations: How tuberculosis played into Canada’s settler colonial genocide
March 24 is World TB Day, in recognition of the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the germ that causes tuberculosis (TB). In 1952, on the Stony Reserve in Alberta, Bella Two Young Men was taken away from her husband and forcibly kept in a segregated hospital for tuberculosis […]
In Memoriam: The Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair
IRSHDC is saddened to hear of the passing of the Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair at 73 years old. He was instrumental in leading the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a tireless advocate for Survivors of the Residential School system and for Indigenous rights. Sinclair, also known by his spirit name Mazina Giizhik (the One Who […]
Indigenous Documentaries Spark Conversations on Intergenerational Healing and Resilience
Filmmakers of s-yéwyáw: Awaken, WaaPaKe (Tomorrow), and Ever Deadly get candid about their own personal journeys and the intentionality of their documentaries By Renita Bangert “The teachings of our Indigenous Elders are needed now more than ever to navigate a changing world.” -Alfonso Salinas, Ecko Aleck, Charlene SanJenko (opening titles of s-yéwyáw: Awaken) These are […]
IRSHDC X Virago Nation Pt 2: Decolonizing, Indigenizing and Queering Art
Happy Vancouver Pride Weekend! Check out Pt 2 of our interview with members of Virago Nation – we’re chatting with Ruthe Ordare, RainbowGlitz and Monday Blues about how their queerness intersects with their Indigeneity, and how they’re bringing their cultures and identities to their art.
IRSHDC X Virago Nation Pt 1: Talking Queerness and Indigeneity
Our first video of our interview with members of Virago Nation is live! Hear Ruthe Ordare, RainbowGlitz and Monday Blues share their places and people, how they came to perform with Virago Nation, and what queerness means to them. Stay tuned for Part 2 of our conversation with Ruthe, Rainbow and Monday!
An Introduction to the IRSHDC Self-Guided Tour
Earlier this year, we launched our Self-Guided Tour Manual. This is a tool to help you navigate the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre and learn about our work and collections. You can visit us anytime our gallery is open and take a self-guided tour! Read on to find out more about what’s on […]
Celebrating queerness & Indigeneity with Virago Nation
June is both Indigenous History Month and Pride Month in so-called Canada. Here at IRSHDC, we recognize the ways in which the ongoing impacts of the Indian Residential School system continue to impact the lives of Indigenous people. We also want to recognize the importance of lifting up Indigenous joy and creativity. Queer Indigenous people […]
Executive Director Kristin Kozar discusses the work of the IRSHDC and its forthcoming Open House
The Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre (IRSHDC) is opening its doors to the UBC Vancouver community to highlight its important role on campus. Ahead of the first Open House on April 15, we spoke with Executive Director, Kristin Kozar about how the IRSHDC staff support Residential School Survivors and her plans to expand […]