Belkin Decolonization Walking Tour

The Decolonization Tour highlights site-specific artworks by Indigenous artists and raises questions around issues of place, space and identity. Considering how these works address urgent social and political concerns, we’ll discuss ideas about settler colonialism, decolonization, reconciliation, protocol and the history of UBC’s Vancouver campus, which is located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people.

The Decolonization Tour includes work by:

• Brent Sparrow Jr. (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm), sʔi:ɬqəy̓ qeqən (2016)
• Ellen Neel (Kwakwaka’wakw), Victory Through Honour (1948/2004)
• Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of Birds (Cheyenne, Arapaho), Native Hosts (1991/2007)
• James Hart, 7idansuu (Edenshaw) (Haida), Reconciliation Pole: Honouring a Time Before, During and After Canada’s Indian Residential Schools (2015-17)
• Kayám̓ Richard Campbell (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm) and James Hart 7idansuu (Edenshaw), θəʔit (2023)

Additional Information

• This tour takes a minimum of 90 minutes. We will be walking 1.5-2 km. The route, number of works on the tour and the amount of time required cannot be adjusted.
• The tour starts at the first artwork, Brent Sparrow Jr. (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm), sʔi:ɬqəy̓ qeqən (2016), located outside the UBC Bookstore at 6200 University Blvd.
• Please wear comfortable walking shoes, dress for the weather and bring an umbrella in case of rain.
• Tours are conversational, participation-driven and can be adapted for a range of groups.
• Some of the discussion can be intense. Care to create a safe space is a priority. Indian Residential School denialism will not be tolerated.

Please note at least 10 people must sign-up in advance for this tour to run.