With gratitude to the Coast Salish peoples, including Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, shíshálh, Lil’Wat, and Musqueam Nations, for receiving us into their unceded and sovereign territories, and to the honour of their ancestors.
On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, members of CSU and Capilano Faculty Association leadership have written a joint letter on human rights at Capilano University:
When you feel dismissed or disrespected by the university, do you feel that you are taken seriously — if you feel brave enough to mention it at all?
The Capilano Students’ Union (CSU) and the Capilano Faculty Association (CFA), together, pledge to advance BC Human Rights Code:
- by fostering a culture at Capilano University, and in British Columbia, in which there are no barriers to full and free participation;
- by demanding action to uphold the BC Human Rights Code through mutual respect, understanding, and fairness; and
- to collaborate in ending every form of discrimination prohibited by the BC Human Rights Code.
We recognize that direct and systemic discrimination at Capilano University has brought harm to members of our community.
We see you, and honour you.
We are inspired by the members of our community who are leaders in the advancement of human rights.
We underline our resolve to “identify and eliminate persistent patterns of inequality” as prohibited by the BC Human Rights Code.
We affirm our commitment to make whole again the members who have suffered the violation of their human rights, to honour their human dignity, and advance their equality. For these reasons, the Capilano Students’ Union and the Capilano Faculty Association call upon the university to work with us in collaboration to publicly demonstrate their commitment to upholding the dignity and equality of all members of this community.
This message is a collaboration between the CSU and CFA. It was prepared by CSU vice-president equity & sustainability Mackenzie Gibson and ethics & human rights officer and Capilano University professor Dr. Michael Markwick (Spakwus).