What ReconciliACTION means at CapU
Dear members of the CapU community,
As we gather during Truth & Reconciliation Week 2026 and look ahead to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, I have been reflecting on what reconciliACTION means at Capilano University.
For me, reconciliACTION means moving beyond acknowledgment and intention toward sustained action. Reconciliation is not a single event, week of programming or statement of commitment. It is an ongoing responsibility that asks each of us to listen, learn, build relationships and act.
At CapU, reconciliation is grounded in relationships. We are committed to strengthening our partnerships with the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and xʷməθkʷəỷəm (Musqueam) Nations and working alongside Indigenous communities, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, students and partners in respectful and reciprocal ways.
Our work is guided by Chén̓chenstway, a living document that outlines CapU's journey of reconciliACTION and learning. Through this framework, we continue to advance our commitments to Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenization and decolonization across the university.
This week, we updated the university's land acknowledgment to address community concerns about its historical accuracy. The update followed conversations led by Indigenous Education & Affairs with community members, including our Elders and our Nation partners. I am grateful for the guidance that informed this change and helped strengthen the accuracy and integrity of our acknowledgment.
We have made important progress together, and there is more work ahead. Here are just a few examples of that work in action.
Yesterday, we announced a $215,000 gift from the Isabel Bader Charitable Trust to support Indigenous learners from recruitment to graduation and advance reconciliation through education. The partnership will help ensure Indigenous students have access to culturally grounded supports, community, ceremony and resources that promote belonging and well-being throughout their educational journey.
The gift will also support culturally significant initiatives such as CapU's inaugural Indigenous graduation ceremony, scheduled to coincide with convocation in June.
We continue to invest in spaces that support Indigenous student success and well-being. In our newly opened Treehouse (Lam̓íwa / θqétəw̓txʷ) student housing building, a dedicated reflection space with ventilation to support smudging provides a welcoming place for ceremony, reflection and connection.
This fall, we are partnering with Líl̓wat Nation to deliver a certificate in Local Government Administration at Ts̓zil Learning Centre, with Líl̓wat perspectives and knowledge embedded throughout the program.
I want to thank the team in Indigenous education & affairs, our Elders, the members of the Truth & Reconciliation working group, the Change Education Series committee, the Capilano Students' Union and the many employees, students and community partners who help advance this work across the university. Their leadership, guidance and commitment continue to strengthen our relationships with Indigenous communities.
Looking ahead, my priorities include:
- Expanding employee learning and training opportunities related to Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous histories and cultural safety. Our first training session was on Aug. 12 where leaders across the organization gathered for a cultural safety training workshop.
- Strengthening authenticity expectations and requirements for employees and students engaged in Indigenous-focused teaching, learning and programming.
- Advancing the Indigenization and decolonization of curriculum across the university, ensuring Indigenous perspectives, knowledge systems and ways of learning are meaningfully embedded throughout our programs and courses.
Each of us has a role to play in advancing reconciliation at CapU. I invite you to attend one of the Truth & Reconciliation Week events taking place at our North Vancouver campus and reflect on three simple questions: What is one thing I can learn? What relationship can I strengthen? And what action can I take?
Reconciliation is measured not by what we say, but by the relationships we build, the understanding we deepen and the actions we take together. Thank you for the work you do every day to help strengthen our community. I look forward to continuing this journey with you as we advance reconciliation through action.
Sincerely,
Jason Dewling, PhD
President & Vice-Chancellor
Submitted by: Communications & Government Relations