Content Note: The following includes mention of gender-based violence experienced by IBPOC women and gender diverse people. Details are not included. 

Since 1992, the community in the downtown eastside has come together every February 14th to express compassion, community and caring for all women and gender diverse people who have experienced harm. The memorial march continues to honour the lives lost in the downtown eastside. Indigenous women, girls, two spirit and trans people disproportionately continue to go missing or be murdered with no action to address the systemic oppression of gendered violence, poverty, racism and colonialism that enable these tragedies. 

You should not have to live these stories. And in the face of such violence, it is okay to show up, or not show up, exactly as you are. Your existence, your joy, your pain, your triumphs, your failures - the entirety of you deserves to be supported and nurtured. Your strength and resilience is admired. It is also okay to ask for help. In that spirit, we have included resources available to you. 

Connect with: 

UBC’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office: available to UBC students, staff and faculty, SVPRO is an intersectional, decolonial, inclusive space where all genders and sexualities are welcome, and all services are confidential. 
604.822.1588 | svpro.vancouver@ubc.ca 

WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre: provides no cost individual counselling for Indigenous survivors of sexualized violence, families of MMIWG2S+, survivors of residential school and/or intergenerational trauma. 
24/7 Crisis, Information and Support Line Available | 604.255.6344 

Hope for Wellness Help Line: offers immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across CAnada, 24/7, including counselling and crisis intervention. 
Toll Free - 1.855.242.3310 | Online Chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca 

Government of Canada - Long Term After Care for MMIWG: survivors, family members and those affected by the issue of MMIWG are still able to access counselling, emotional support, cultural support services and assistance with costs. 
Within BC - 1.877.477.0775 

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The Women’s Memorial March acknowledges and holds space for all people from marginalized genders who are impacted by violence. This day is inclusive of all communities impacted and those who wish to stand in solidarity with them. As allies, showing up for your loved ones, friends and colleagues, we offer these words of guidance. 

• Honour boundaries: do not ask anyone if they are personally impacted. 
• Think before you post: do not post images or text that is centered on gratuitous trauma of marginalized people. 
• Educate yourself: do not ask Indigenous people to educate you on MMIWG2S+. 
• Be intentional with your words: do not make empty statements of support - show up by marching, donating, volunteering. 
• Respect privacy and capacity: do not make those impacted process your feelings with you. 

Explore more about this topic through some of the following resources: 

Red Women Rising: Indigenous Women Survivors in the Downtown East Side 
MMIWG2S+ Calls for Justice from the Final Report 
UBC Library: Guide to Resources on MMIWG2S+ 
Jaime Black’s REDress Project 
Love, Land & Spirit: Podcast on Community, Connection and Culture 

February 14th: Morning @ the First Nations House of Learning 

• 9:00 am - Gathering in Sty-Wet-Tan Hall for coffee, tea, snacks & preparing of medicine bundles 
• 10:00 am - Gathering at the Sacred Circle (behind the Longhouse) for Smudge & Drumming 
• 11:00 am - Loading of bus at Longhouse (on Lower Mall) to depart for DTES 

Please register for the bus here 

Afternoon @ the First Nations House of Learning (for those who do not wish to join the march) 

• 12:00 pm - Indigenous Student Lunch 
• 2:00 to 4:00 pm - Gathering in Elder’s Lounge at the Longhouse for drop in beading/crafting (everyone welcome) 

Afternoon @ UBC Learning Exchange and March 

• 11:30 am - Drop Off on Carrall St. & Walk to UBC Learning Exchange (612 Main St.) 
  • Students, staff, faculty and guests are also welcome to meet at the Learning Exchange after 11:30 am for coffee, tea and community support 
• 12:00 to 4:00 pm - Women’s Memorial March 
  • Support is available at the UBC Learning Exchange throughout the march by UBC staff 
• 4:00 to 4:15 pm - Meet at UBC Learning Exchange for Return Trip to Campus 
• 4:30 pm - Bus Departs for Campus 

(Photo: Hogan‘s Alley, historically was home to Vancouver‘s Black community. It refers to the alley that ran between Union and Prior St from Main St to Jackson Ave, in the Strathcona neighbourhood. Fifty years ago, the community was displaced for construction of the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts. Photo: Vancouver City Archives). 

It is integral to always be centring Black voices and educating ourselves on contemporary and historical Black experiences. Take a moment to learn about Hogan‘s Alley, a historic Black neighbourhood in Vancouver that was displaced to build the Dunsmuir Viaduct, while you are at it, why not check out the Hogan‘s Alley Society , a non-profit organization committed to highlighting the presence of Black history in Vancouver and throughout BC. Did you know that last year, UBC student Maya Preshyon lead the initiative to create a free library by and for Black community members? Take a second and support the Vancouver Black Library! Shop at local Black owned businesses in Vancouver by taking a look at the Vancouver Black Owned Businesses Directory.

Of course this learning is not just for the month of February, but a life long journey. The unlearning of anti-Blackness and challenging white supremacy is a key aspect of anti-colonial action and education.

UBC has a selection of events happening over Black History Month, check them out!

February 17 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

This panel will provide a space for an important conversation about the experiences of Black members of the Faculty and the challenges they face to find belonging. Panelists will be invited to reflect on their Black identity and how it has shaped their personal narrative — their education journey, work experiences and sense of belonging.

March 7, 2023
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
In Person
Irving K Barber Learning Centre, Seminar (Room 2.22)
1961 E Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

This is an in-person event.

Through the What I Learned In Class Today project, participants will learn how to intentionally approach Indigenous content and topics in the classroom and will learn how this can make a supportive and positive learning experience for all students.

This workshop requires participants to engage with asynchronous materials prior to the workshop, including watching the Renewed Student Perspectives Film: Educational Experiences and Institutional Responses and reading two articles (approximately 30 minutes of pre-work). Within the synchronous portion of the workshop we will be screening the What I Learned In Class Today Renewed Faculty Perspectives Video, followed by a discussion.

Facilitators:

Hannah Coderre – Educational Consultant, CTLT Indigenous Initiatives
Erin Yun – Educational Consultant, CTLT Indigenous Initiatives