Land Acknowledgement & Indigenous Presence at UBC
“UBC Vancouver sits on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. The lands now occupied by the campus have been a place of learning and stewardship for the Musqueam for countless generations. We honor the enduring relationship of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm with this land and acknowledge their ongoing presence and stewardship”. (indigenous.ubc.ca) (https://native-land.ca/)
The name xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) relates back to the flowering plant, məθkʷəy̓, which once abundantly grew throughout Musqueam territory. There is a sχʷəy̓em̓ that has been passed on from generation to generation that explains how we became known as xʷməθkʷəy̓əm – place where the məθkʷəy̓ grows. (https://www.musqueam.bc.ca/)
Indigenous Centres and Resources at UBC Relevant to Landscape Architecture
X̱wi7x̱wa Library
The only Indigenous-specialized branch of an academic library in Canada, located adjacent to the Longhouse on campus. It holds a rich collection of books, maps, archival materials, theses, and other media that document First Nations knowledge, environmental practices, Indigenous histories and worldviews across British Columbia and beyond. Its holdings and classification approach reflect Indigenous ways of organizing knowledge and provide valuable references for research, design, and culturally informed planting or landscape work. (fnhl.ubc.ca)
First Nations House of Learning (Longhouse and Student Community)
A cultural, social, academic, and spiritual hub for Indigenous students including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. The Longhouse offers a place for community building, cultural gatherings, ceremony, and support. For designers working on campus or in collaboration with Indigenous communities, the First Nations House of Learning is a gateway for meaningful engagement, dialogue, and shared learning. (fnhl.ubc.ca)
xʷc̓ic̓əsəm Garden at UBC Farm
A land-based education and research garden focused on Indigenous food sovereignty, traditional plant knowledge, and ecological stewardship. The garden supports research, community participation, and hands-on learning about native plant uses, habitat restoration, and culturally informed planting practices. It is highly relevant to landscape architecture, especially for projects that engage with ecological restoration, native plants, and Indigenous-led design. (ubcfarm.ubc.ca) (http://livinglabs.ubc.ca)
Partnerships with the Musqueam Indian Band
UBC maintains ongoing partnerships with the Musqueam community, recognizing their rights and history and collaborating on shared initiatives, cultural recognition, and land-based knowledge. These partnerships provide opportunities for landscape architects and students to learn from Indigenous stewardship practices and community knowledge in respectful ways. (aboriginal.landfood.ubc.ca)
