December 9, 2021

2021 Holiday Message from the Dean pro tem

Aanii Bozhoo – greetings everyone,

My name is Jan Hare, and I am Dean pro tem of the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia.

I would like to acknowledge that the Faculty is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Musqueam and Syilx peoples. These lands and places are steeped in the histories and knowledges of the original peoples.

The Faculty’s activities take place on Indigenous lands throughout British Columbia and beyond. Many of you are conducting your studies and work in different places, near and far, and it is important to acknowledge the traditional owners and caretakers of those lands.

As winter break approaches, it offers us time to reflect on and make meaning of the past year so that we can look to the year ahead with renewed purpose.

The past year has been a challenging one in many ways. As a community and as a province, we endured climate-related challenges, including devastating fires and floods. I’m impressed by the way we navigated a return to campus amid the continuing uncertainties of the pandemic.

Your collective effort, resilience and commitment continues to inspire curiosity, innovation, and compassion in learning, teaching, conducting research, and the work we do on our Okanagan and Vancouver campuses, in field centres across the province, and at sites of engagement across Canada and around the world.

I have been particularly struck by the ways our educational community continues to uphold one another and remain connected through virtual and other means. We have worked together remarkably well given our different roles and responsibilities, perspectives, and experiences of the last 20 months.

I speak to all members of our community, students, staff, instructors and faculty, alumni, and our donors. Over the holidays, I hope you take time to recharge, to be with friends and loved ones, and to participate in activities that bring you meaning.

May we enter the new year stronger and wiser, and continue to lead with kindness.

Warmest wishes for a safe and restful winter break.

Miigwech – thank you