How can we take action to prioritize Indigenous law and jurisdiction to address socio-ecological crises worldwide?
Join us in-person or online for the opening event of UBC’s Sustainable Development Goals Month - a conversation with Sundance Chief and author Rueben George about his bestselling book, It Stops Here: Standing Up For Our Lands, Our Waters and Our People, moderated by UBC Associate Professor Dr. Shannon Leddy. The conversation will be followed by a book signing from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.
For over a decade, Rueben George has been a leading voice against the development of the Trans Mountain Pipeline, a fossil fuel megaproject, in Tsleil-Waututh Nation territories. His memoir relates his uncompromising stand against Canadian systems of prioritizing control, profit and resources over responsibility to lands, waters and people.
Through his book, Rueben showcases how Indigenous law and jurisdiction are essential for sustainability and wellbeing. As seen in the many ways Rueben’s actions advance Sustainable Development Goals (including goals 3 and 10-16), Indigenous law and jurisdiction are also deeply important to the interconnected approach we need to fulfil these goals and to address socio-ecological crises worldwide.
Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Space is limited. Please register by February 28.
Date
Monday, March 3
Time
Conversation and Q&A from 5 - 6:30 pm
Book signing from 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Location (in-person)
BC Hydro Theatre, CIRS
2260 West Mall (Open on Google Maps)
Location (online)
Zoom
Organized by the UBC Sustainability Hub, UBC Sauder School of Business, Sustainable Development Solutions Network University of Calgary, UBC Edith Lando Virtual Learning Centre and Environment and Climate Change Canada.
This event is part of SDG Month Canada, a national collaborative initiative that invites all Canadian universities and colleges to organize workshops, panels and other interactive programming to increase awareness of and engagement with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
meet the author
Sundance Chief Rueben George is a member of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN) and a Family Counsellor who has 30 years of experience in the healing field. Rueben has many years of experience working internationally throughout the US and Canada with First Nations/Tribes in wellness, Correctional Centres, Addiction Treatment Centres, School Districts, Social Services, and Colleges/Universities Rueben Continues to volunteer at a men’s Treatment Centre and Correctional Centres.
After serving his Nation as Director of Community Development, he shifted his focus in 2010 to be Manager of Sacred Trust TWN’s initiative to protect the Burrard Inlet, the traditional Tsleil-Waututh territory, from the proposed Kinder-Morgan/TMX pipeline. Rueben has travelled the world, creating allies with Indigenous people who stand for water, land, and human rights. Rueben has become one of the best-known voices in the media locally and internationally in the conversation about the proposed Kinder/Morgan TMX pipeline and other related issues.
For over 10 years, Rueben has been a consultant to multiple businesses and is the co-founder/President of Salish Elements, creating green hydrogen energy. Rueben George is a spiritual leader who was adopted and made a Sundance Chief by 2 Lakota families. Rueben is involved in his Coast Salish culture and ceremonies. In all aspects of Rueben’s life and work, he incorporates his cultural and spiritual teachings.
meet the moderator
Dr. Shannon Leddy (Métis) is a Vancouver-based teacher and writer whose practice focuses on decolonizing education and Indigenous education within teacher education. She holds degrees in Art History and Anthropology from the University of Saskatchewan (1994), an MA in Art History (1997), and a BEd (2005) from the University of British Columbia. Her PhD research at Simon Fraser University focused on inviting pre-service teachers into dialogue with contemporary Indigenous art as a mechanism of decolonizing education and in order to help them become adept at delivering Indigenous education without reproducing colonial stereotypes.
During her time as a public school teacher with the Vancouver School Board, Dr. Leddy worked at several high schools as a teacher of Art, Social Studies and English. After a two-year secondment to work as a Faculty Associate in SFU’s Professional Development Program in teacher education, she returned to the VSB to undertake the coordination of an arts-based mini-school. She has also worked as an Instructor in SFU’s Faculty of Education teaching courses in pedagogical foundations and Aboriginal education. In 2013 she was awarded SFU’s Aboriginal Graduate Entrance Scholarship and a SSHRC Bombardier Scholarship in 2015. Dr. Leddy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy at the UBC Faculty of Education.