Leslie Brown
Professor Emeritus, UVic School of Social Work

I am a Great-Grandmother and University of Victoria Professor Emerita, who has a life-long passion for community-based research and Indigenous child and family wellbeing. The Living Lab embodies both, and I am eager to work as an Advisor. I recently became the Board Chair of the Royal BC Museum.

Shelly-Niemi-

Director of Indigenous Education School District 61

Bio Coming Soon!

BuddHall

Settler / UVic Professor Emeritus – UNESCO Chair in Higher Education

Butch-Dick
LEKWUNGEN, Songhees Nation
Frank-George

LEKWUNGEN, Songhees Nation

JohnElliott
WSANEC / UVic Honorary Doctorate, TSARTLIP Nation
LornaWilliams
Lil‘wat / St’at‘yem’ Nation, Professor Emerita / Faculty of Education & Canada Research Chair – Indigenous Knowledge & Learning
EarlClaxtonJr
WSANEC / PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ – TSAWOUT Nation
Research and Planning Advisor

I am proud to be invited to the Living Lab Project. As a past IGOV scholar, I pressed for improved curriculum in our professional schools of law, health, education and social development to counter the colonizing influence of education and history on relationships with Indigenous First Nations. As one of 16 children of George and Geraldine Underwood of Tsawout First Nation of W̱SÁNEĆ Nation, I was quite familiar with ideas of “getting along,” and my Dad instilled that into my mind as I feared my first walk to public school. He told me we had to learn how to get along. With that in mind, I persevered and have made every effort to make my education, work and life meaningful. However, in learning to get along, I want people to know the richness of our Indigenous First Nations history. I want people to realize our great prosperity and connection to land and marine territory. I want people to appreciate the richness described by scholars such as Dave Elliott Sr., who repeatedly reminded us that we were rich and did not need money because we had everything. I am looking forward to the exhilaration of working with dynamic young scholars who bring me such incredible energy when I get weary.