The first portion of the session is a welcome and Lekwungen teaching from Songhees Nation member Florence Dick and the Lekwungen Dancers. The second portion of the session is a panel discussion with some of the  Indigenous members of the City Family – the City of Victoria’s reconciliation body – reflecting on what it means to be Indigenous and Canadian at a moment when Canada is “under review.”  

Cindy Blackstock and Spirit Bear returned to Victoria to launch the children’s book they wrote after their last visit to Lekwungen territory, about residential schools and also the removal of the Sir John A Macdonald statue from in front of City Hall. 

The South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP), in conversation with experts in Indigenous Economic Development, explored why long-term architectures for collaboration are critical to the economic resilience and prosperity of the region.  

UVIC Law partnered with Cowichan Tribes to deliver a transformative field school experience amidst the height of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. This panel discussed what surprised them about the work, the community and themselves during this experience, as well as the challenges, opportunities, relationships and learning that came out of the field school.

For one of the first times in history, the Royal BC Museum has handed over curatorial authority to the community for the creation of the exhibit, “Hope Meets Action: Echoes Through the Black Continuum.” The session explored the challenges: What felt hard and new? The opportunities: What felt exciting and new? And what’s next: What advice do panellists have to share for institutions and communities that want to work together to centre the voices of those who have been historically and also presently silenced?

This session featured local food leaders working at the intersections of race and equity, to discuss some of the challenges and opportunities that they see in their own work and for society to work better as we emerge from the pandemic.

Muslim women from the community explored themes of Islamophobia, belonging, racism and safety by sharing their local and global everyday experiences.

Youth from the Victoria BC community reflected on the content of CUIxVictoria from a youth perspective and developed calls for action that different stakeholders can take to respond to issues of concern and interest to youth. 

This workshop explored key initiatives the City of Victoria is currently working on to create more inclusive, climate friendly neighbourhoods and a zero waste city.

This conversation between activists and scholars and youth in Victoria BC explored the difficult terrain of intergenerational climate inequity, climate anxiety and climate action. 

This conversation grounded participants in a discussion around current barriers to financial well-being and explored societal values regarding inclusion and growth that are required for a new economy.

This session brought together  members of the City’s Welcoming City Task Force in a panel discussion to hear the story of the Welcoming City Strategy and learn what role residents can play in making Victoria a more welcoming place for newcomers.