Roots
a decolonized space, rooted in ceremony
Building capacity at UBC for researchers to engage in meaningful, appropriate, and relational partnerships with Indigenous communities, collectives, and organizations.
What is Roots?
Roots is a collective based out of the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) and the Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health (CEIH). Our initiatives include the Roots Circle, the Roots for Indigenous Partnered Research cluster, the Honouring Connections workbook, and the Creating Structures research project. All of our programs seek to identify and support opportunities for community and reciprocal relationship building.
“Working in environments where spirituality is acknowledged makes me feel more holistically acknowledged, honored, and respected.”
— Anonymous, Spring Roots Circle Feedback (2024)
Roots in Action:
Our Initiatives
Roots: An Indigenous Partnered Research Circle
Roots: An Indigenous Partnered Research Circle
Creating Structures for Meaningful Indigenous Community & UBC Health Partnerships
Creating Structures for Meaningful Indigenous Community & UBC Health Partnerships
Creating Structures is a research project that seeks to understand what factors make for meaningful Indigenous health research partnerships.
Discover MoreRoots for Indigenous Partnered Research
Roots for Indigenous Partnered Research
Roots for Indigenous Partnered Research is a membership-based research cluster of those passionate about transforming Indigenous-led research at UBC. Members become part of a deeper community and help inform both public and cluster-only education, wellness, and mentorship initiatives.
Discover MoreHonouring Connections
Honouring Connections
Honouring Connections is a written and arts-based workbook that guides individuals or teams in exploring their relationships with the lands and people they work with.
Discover MoreLand Acknowledgment & Commitment
Roots’ activities take place on the unceded and traditional territories of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people, who have cared for these lands and waters since time immemorial.
This is more than an acknowledgement of the original stewards of this place, known as xʷməθkʷəy̓əm – place of the məθkʷəy̓, but a commitment from us, as people who live and work uninvited on this territory, to uphold the rights of the Musqueam Nation, and to continuously advocate for the Musqueam people in our places of work, study, and in our day to day lives.
We extend this commitment to our Host Nations across what is now known as “Vancouver,” the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and to the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples of Turtle Island.
Stay Connected
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