Destination UBC: April Showers Bring…New Students?

“There is no word in our language [hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓] for ‘person’ that does not mean ‘relative’.”

These were the welcoming words of Jim Kew and something that UBC staff and Peer Leaders strived to emulate during the Destination UBC event. Newly admitted Aboriginal students from across Canada travelled to Vancouver to spend a weekend at UBC’s Vancouver campus (April 27^th to 29^th). These students received an introduction to the campus, a warm welcome from staff in the Longhouse, and a chance to make connections with Faculty, staff and with their peers.

The focus of this event is on supporting students as they take the first steps toward the transition to university. This event was designed to create space and opportunities for students to make friends, learn more about their Faculty and program, and to connect with different opportunities and services across campus. Students had the chance to connect with plenty of UBC staff, including: Elder Larry Grant, the Elder-in-Residence at UBC’s First Nations House of Learning; Linc Kesler, the Director of the UBC First Nations House of Learning; Ryanne James, Outreach Coordinator at the First Nations House of Learning; as well as representatives from Enrolment Services, Jumpstart, UBC Rec, and other campus partners. Students also shared meals with members of the Musqueam community, including Jim Kew, and enjoyed a lively performance by the Tsatsu Stalqaya (Coastal Wolf Pack).

Despite these many connections and conversations, there was still plenty of time for the students to explore Vancouver and have fun! Students participated in a movie night, a jam session, morning yoga, and even a photo scavenger hunt around Granville Island. To finish off the weekend in typical Vancouver style (rain included), the students visited UBC’s Botanical Gardens to connect with nature and test their fear of heights with the Greenheart Canopy Walk.

We look forward to welcoming these students back to campus in September and to all of the adventures that are in store for them!

…But the fun doesn’t stop there! This weekend (May 10^th to 13^th) we will be doing it all over again and welcoming hundreds of students to    UBC’s Okanagan campus for the Indigenous Welcome and weekend-long Destination UBC event. Wish us luck and send in your requests for a weekend of warm weather and Okanagan sunshine.