Welcome to the Office of Indigenous Affairs

About Us

The Office of Indigenous Affairs promotes and supports UVic's many Indigenous initiatives, including academic programs, student support services, protocol activities and the First Peoples House, which is scheduled for completion in 2009. The office also provides advice to university departments, faculty members, staff and administrators, and it works to expand UVic partnerships with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities and organizations. Join us during our annual Week of Welcome for new and returning Indigenous students, which happens in the first month of classes, or contact us by phone, email or in person and we'll connect you with the support services you need.

The Office of Indigenous Affairs was created to offer leadership and coordination at a senior level for the many and rapidly developing Indigenous initiatives across the University of Victoria. Fran Hunt Jinnouchi began as the founding Director on January 1, 2007, and over the first eight months has brought a new focus and energy to the implementation of the University's strategic objective to recruit and support Aboriginal students. Within the first month, Ms. Hunt Jinnouchi developed a partnership arrangement with Camosun College and developed a joint proposal to the Ministry of Advanced Education that led to the funding of both institutions to become "sites of excellence" in post secondary Aboriginal education.

Extensive consultation has taken place within the University, in local Aboriginal communities and organizations, and with communities and organizations across the province resulting in the document "Creating a Shared Path" which identifies values, principles, objectives and action strategies to implement Aboriginal service plans in partnerships over the next three years.

In addition to this major initiative, INAF has supported the development of a number of successful project proposals in support of Aboriginal initiatives involving curriculum development, program design and community partnerships. As well, the Director sits at the major planning tables, including the Provost's Advisory Council, the President's Advisory Council on Indigenous Education (pACIE) , and the President's Advisory Council, and has proposed revised terms of reference for the PACIE which will be discussed at its fall meeting. The Director will also serve as Manager of the new First Peoples House and is actively involved in the final planning for the house which will be completed by 2009.

In summary, this new office, under Ms. Hunt Jinnouchi's leadership, is playing a pivotal role in ensuring that the University of Victoria provides a welcoming and supportive learning environment for Aboriginal students.