Acknowledgements and Accessibility

To contact the Organizing Committee about any of the following information, please email TEK.forests@ubc.ca

 


 

Musqueam Territory

 

We acknowledge that this conference is situated on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. The xʷməθkʷəy̓əm people have always been here, and share histories and teachings about how to live in a good way with this place. We share our deep respect to xʷməθkʷəy̓əm for stewarding the land, water, air and all the creatures that are in this place that we now call UBC and Vancouver.


We acknowledge the devastating impacts of settler-colonialism on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm people, lands and waters. We recognize that we all have a role in listening to the hard truths of our relationship together thus far. and working to educate ourselves so that we may move ahead in right relation as friends, family and neighbours. We carry the spirit of openness to truth-telling, respectful listening and honouring of experience for xʷməθkʷəy̓əm and other Indigenous Peoples throughout this conference, as well as in our everyday lives.

 


 

Statement of Accessibility

 

The conference planning team is committed to everyone being able to access and participate in all aspects of the program. If you have special accessibility needs, we request that you please complete the Accessibility Questionnaire in the online registration form, and/or contact our team prior to the event so that we can create an individual accessibility plan to meet with your specific needs at least 2-3 weeks prior to the conference.


As UBC is a large campus, it can be quite a walk between transport hubs like the UBC Bus Loop, to event venues. Please speak with us at least 2 weeks before the event to schedule HandiDart door to door services, available to those with special physical or cognitive needs.

The meetings will take place primarily in English. Please consider if you will need a translator for the events. With enough notice, we can assist recruiting volunteer translators with you.

We are happy to cater to different dietary needs and preferences. If you are vegetarian, vegan, dairy, gluten, nuts, wheat, sugar-free, etc., or have any food allergens, please indicate your preferences on the Registration Form and/or email us directly.

This conference will be a scent-free zone. We ask participants and presenters to avoid wearing fragrances that may irritate those with allergies or fragrance sensitivities. These include perfumes, essential oils, balms and heavily-fragranced hygiene products. There will be areas that recognized for ceremonial, cultural or spiritual purposes, such as smudging or smoke cleansing etc., which we ask those with fragrance sensitivities to avoid or access with caution.

If you have any questions on accessibility, please feel free to contact us at TEK.forests.ubc.ca.

 


 

Safe Space Policy

 

The Conference Organizers are committed to supporting diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of this conference. We hold a Safe Spaces mandate to ensure respect for all in attending this conference. We call on participants and presenters to cultivate an awareness of the ways in which various social, cultural, political, or economic privileges are, at any given time, accessible to some members of the Conference and not others. We will put effort towards reducing barriers to participation in conference activities, and creating an environment rooted in the belief of equal respect for all persons.


We will not tolerate any engagement in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, age, culture, ability, ethnicity or nationality, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status, religious affiliation, and socioeconomic status.  Complaints of discrimination or harassment should be directed to our conference organizers and volunteers, who will be coached in conflict resolution procedures prior to the event.

We will strive to make this conference a LGBT2SQIA+ safe space.

If you have any questions or comments on our approach to safe space, please feel free to contact us at TEK.forests.ubc.ca.

 


 

Statement of Waste Reduction

 

We are taking steps to ensure that this conference follows UBC’s Guidelines for a Zero-Waste Event.


In order to help us achieve our goal of a minimal waste event, we ask that you please consider bringing a reusable water bottle and coffee/tea mug to the event. While we are hoping to provide reusable plates, cutlery, bowls etc., we are also very thankful for those who take the time to bring these pieces from home.

In order to honour water as a basic human right, we will avoid purchasing bottled water to distribute at this event. We will have tap water available for drinking. We are fortunate to have some of the best water in the world available right from our taps.