About the Office of Indigenous Education

The Office of Indigenous Education in the Faculty of Education at UBC is committed to advancing Indigenous education priorities across the faculty, university, and within local, national, and international communities. As the Indigenous education landscape undergoes exciting policy, programmatic, and curricular shifts, our Indigenous educators, scholars, graduate and undergraduate students, and allies in the faculty are responding with exciting research, teaching, and leadership. This work extends beyond classrooms and schools to consider Indigeneity at the intersections of social, ecological, linguistic, and political justice in other places, locally and internationally.

The promotion of Indigenous knowledge and Indigenous engagement are signature strengths of UBC’s Faculty of Education and critical components of our strategic plan. As a leader in Indigenous education, all students, scholars, or community members will find opportunities within our faculty to study, collaborate, and develop expertise so as to inspire and transform places where they live, learn, and work.

Message from the Associate Dean

Greetings and Tansi. My name is Margaret Kovach (sākohtēw pīsim iskwēw) and I am of Nêhiyaw and Saulteaux ancestry from Treaty Four, Saskatchewan and a member of Pasqua First Nation. I was appointed Associate Dean, Indigenous Education in July 2021. The Office of Indigenous Education is a dynamic and Indigenous community-responsive organization. With its beginnings under the leadership of Dr. Jo-ann Archibald (Q’um Q’um Xiiem) and through the most recent leadership of Dr. Jan Hare, the Office of Indigenous Education has a rich history of advancing Indigenous education through its students, programs, staff, educators, leadership, and spirit. With the dynamic undergraduate Indigenous Teacher Education Program (NITEP), the Office of Indigenous Education reaches out to Indigenous communities. This includes NITEP Field Centres located in UBC Vancouver, Okanagan, Bella Coola, the Cariboo, and Gitwangak.  Indigenous graduate education initiatives are part of our purpose and mission.  This past year, we have facilitated the 2020-21 NVIT Leadership in Indigenous Education cohort in partnership with the Department of Educational Studies. The SAGE (Support Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement) program, with an 18-year history in the Faculty of Education, extends Indigenous mentoring initiatives across campus and partners with post-secondary institutions across the province.  These are highlights of the many initiatives of the Office of Indigenous Education – all of which could not succeed without the work and commitment of the wonderful staff.  I am delighted to be a part of this exciting and innovative team. If you are interested in learning more about our office, please do not hesitate to contact us at  indigenous.education@ubc.ca.