Respect, Sincerity and Responsibility: Land Acknowledgement at UBC

sʔi:ɬqəy̓ qeqən (double-headed serpent post), Brent Sparrow, Musqueam

The University of British Columbia is committed to mending, creating, and sustaining good relationships with Indigenous peoples, in particular the Indigenous people on whose unceded, traditional, and ancestral lands our campuses are situated on. As UBC community members, we are all responsible for engaging thoughtfully, consistently, and humbly in this process.

Part of this work is reflected in our ability to acknowledge these lands and their history in a sincere, respectful, and meaningful way.

To support this process, the Indigenous Initiatives at the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT) and Human Resources developed a 60-minute self-paced course for the UBC teaching and learning community.

The course, Respect, Sincerity and Responsibility: Land Acknowledgement at UBC, explores what land acknowledgements are and why we do them, and helps participants develop their own land acknowledgement. After this course, participants will:

  • Recognize why land acknowledgements are an important part of our work at UBC.
  • Identify your positionality and responsibility when offering land acknowledgements and engaging with Indigenous communities.
  • Utilize resources and educational tools needed to deliver land acknowledgements.

Access the course (CWL required).

Our ability to acknowledge land and their history in a respectful way is one way that we are creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace for all, including Indigenous Peoples and other historically underrepresented groups. Learn more about how we’re making UBC an inspiring place to work through Focus on People 2025.