An Interview with Loreisa Lepine: čisélqən tθə sx̌ənəšəns ə tθə iləkʷsiləŋ ɫtə (Following the Footprints of Our Ancestors)

Abstract

On November 6th, 2023, Hannah Gentes spoke with čésəlit̓əšən (Loreisa Lepine). Loreisa is the first officially recognized and “ongoing” Indigenous Land Steward at the University of Victoria. Loreisa’s work involves the creation and prioritization of reconnection to land for Indigenous students in their homelands (lək̓ʷəŋən territory). Loreisa leads the A Place of Medicine restoration project in the courtyard of the David Turpin building at UVic. Their conversation covered being in relationship to the land, navigating colonial education spaces, and plant revitalization.