With an emphasis on teaching, learning, and research, xʷc̓ic̓əsəm Garden aims to serve educational and research needs related toIndigenous knowledge and its intersections with other ways of knowing. The garden is guided by the principle that ‘food is medicine’ and follows the research ethic framework of the “4R’s: respect, relevance, reciprocity, and responsibility” and a holistic understanding of health and healing. In addition to its international, community-based research, the garden engages with numerous regional Indigenous schools, communities, and organizations.
Groups of all ages are welcome throughout the year – from international scholars to local children – at xʷc̓ic̓əsəm Garden from Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and organizations from UBC and beyond.
To request a visit, please download & complete our XʷC̓IC̓ƏSƏM_Visitor Request Form_2025 PDF
*We are now accepting requests for Spring through Fall 2025!
*The land is now in its cooler resting season, and to honour this, visits are paused until the weather becomes warmer and wakes the land. This will likely be mid-late February/2025.
Please reflect on the following 4R’s in completing your visit request form:
Reciprocity:
The Centre is an autonomous, independently funded non-profit centre with community contribution as an integral nutrient:
- In what ways will you offer reciprocity to the land and Centre in your visit?
- UBC Indigenous Finance Guidelines
- UBC Course Funds: please apply to allocate appropriate course funds in the summer of the preceding academic year.
- Additionally, in-kind work in the Garden is highly rewarding & supportive to our mission.
Responsibility:
- In what ways are you currently engaged with and in a praxis of embodying:
- The UBC Indigenous Strategic Plan
- United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples [UNDRIP]
- The 94 Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action: https://nctr.ca/records/reports/
Relevance:
- What is the relevance of your visit and reciprocity to the Garden and its mission?Relationality: If you are requesting a visit as your first time to xʷc̓ic̓əsəm Garden, we invite you to stop by, say ‘hello’, and begin to build a lasting relationship with the land and us
Relationality:
- If you are requesting a visit as your first time to xʷc̓ic̓əsəm Garden, we invite you to stop by, say ‘hello’, and begin to build a lasting relationship with the land and us.
Respectfully Please Consider:
- Our capacity to host is limited.
- Please submit your request as early as possible, and a minimum of 2 weeks in advance of your requested visit.
- Seasons: In the cold winter season, we tend to listen to the rhythms of the land and reduce our visits to honour the Land’s rest.
- Summer, late spring, and early autumn months tend to be the best for visits.
Please feel welcome to drop by the Centre to begin building relationality, and with any further questions or email them: indigenousgardenlfs.irp@ubc.ca
Location:
- 3461 Ross Drive, Vancouver, BC @ UBC Farm. Link to exact Location on Google Maps
We look forward to receiving your request and being together in community!