UVic, First Peoples House: A home away from home
Welcome to the House!
The UVic First Peoples House is a home away from home for many in the Indigenous community. A beautiful space that holds a heart-warming importance for many.
I came directly to the University of Victoria after high school. I quickly fell in love with the campus and soon after moving into residence on-campus and attending classes I flourished and welcomed many new experiences.
One space that I had not yet visited but was incredibly intrigued to explore was the First Peoples House. My friend introduced the space to me one afternoon. As I stepped into the building I could almost immediately recognize that this space was different.
As an Indigenous student, this is a building you enter knowing that you can feel comfortable, relaxed, and most importantly supported. This is a wonderful space where people hold each other up in a good way, wishing the best for another person’s well-being. And it is utilized as a space for rejuvenation, learning, and community.
Some of my “Campus Cousins.”
I began my exploration knowing nothing about the house, and only a little about culture growing up. It was when I went to university that I further opened my mind to areas I hadn’t explored before, such as culture.
I began meeting the incredible staff at the house, learning about the services available, volunteering, and meeting other students who I would frequently see. I am now working as a Campus Cousin, where I support new students in their transition to university life and help organize events at the house.
This building is unique and different from any other building on campus; it is a place where community members feel grounded and connected; it is a community, a family, and a home away from home.
