It’s Aboriginal History Month in Canada… or should we say Aboriginal (Un)History Month, recognising that Aboriginal peoples in Canada, and around the world, continue to live and write their stories every day! The UBC Point Grey campus is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking Musqueam people. In recognition of this, and to celebrate the rich contributions to campus life that Aboriginal cultures provide, we’re highlighting some of the great photos from Open Collections relating to Aboriginal culture on and around UBC Vancouver campus.

Opening ceremonies for the World Conference of Indigenous Peoples on UBC campus, January 1987. Click on the image for more info!

A view of the Haida House at the Museum of Anthropology, photographed by Fred Herzog. Click on the image for more info!

In 1974, the NITEP teacher education program began at UBC, geared towards providing an effective, culturally relevant teacher education program to support the unique needs of Aboriginal peoples in public and First Nations schools. The NITEP program aims to support and strengthen the identities and cultural heritage of its teacher candidates, while developing the skills and knowledge of beginning educators. To learn more about the NITEP program, click here!

Students from the first NITEP class of 1974. Click on the image for more info!

The Museum of Anthropology hosts a number of important cultural events throughout the year to highlight Northwest Coast Aboriginal art and performance, which has resulted in dozens of memorable events over the decades. Check out some of the great images from Museum events below, via Open Collections!

A Haida ceremony to mark the opening of the Raven sculpture at MOA, 1980. Click on the image for more info!

Musqueam weaver Barbara Cayou demonstrating Coast Salish weaving, 1988. Click on the image for more info!

To learn more about the many ongoing Aboriginal programs and initiatives taking place at UBC, check out the UBC Vancouver Aboriginal Portal. And to learn more about events taking place on and around UBC campus for Aboriginal History Month, visit the Musqueam nation’s web page about the celebrations!