$1.3M donation will expand UVic’s Indigenous science programs across Vancouver Island

A $1.3-million donation to the University of Victoria (UVic) will help expand science education opportunities for Indigenous youth across Vancouver Island, while creating new scholarships and hands-on learning opportunities for university students.

The university announced the donation on October 23rd, saying the funding will support Indigenous students from elementary school through post-secondary education.

The gift, valued at $1 million US, comes from a UVic graduate and their partner, who chosen to remain anonymous.

Part of the funding will expand UVic’s Indigenous STEM outreach program, which introduces young learners to science, technology, engineering and mathematics through community-based activities and summer camps.

The program works directly with Indigenous communities across Vancouver Island, bringing educational opportunities to children who might otherwise have limited access to science programming.

Between January and September 2026, the initiative reached approximately 990 Indigenous children between the ages of five and 11 across 16 communities.

With additional funding, UVic hopes to reach more communities, particularly those in remote areas where delivering educational programs can be challenging.

The camps combine traditional Indigenous knowledge with modern science, allowing children to explore subjects such as astronomy, environmental science and technology while connecting with their cultural backgrounds.

One of the program’s instructors is Riley Friesen, a fourth-year UVic astronomy and physics student with Nuxalk and Ojibway ancestry.

Friesen has travelled to Indigenous communities across Vancouver Island, introducing children to astronomy through telescopes, storytelling and hands-on activities.

“I enjoy learning science so much that I want to share it with others and encourage them to think about their future,” said Friesen.

“I think initiatives like Indigenous STEM outreach are critical to unlocking possibilities.”

The donation will also establish a new entrance award for Indigenous students attending UVic. Beginning in September 2027, one or more students will receive $9,000 toward their first year of university studies, helping reduce the financial barriers associated with post-secondary education.

Additional funding will support undergraduate and graduate students through expanded co-op placements and experiential learning opportunities focused on climate change and sustainability.

Those opportunities will include UVic’s Sustainability Scholars program and Coastal Climate Solutions Leaders program, which connect students with researchers, professionals and community organizations working on environmental challenges.

UVic provost Elizabeth Croft said the funding will create opportunities for students to gain practical experience while developing skills they can use in their careers.

“This generous gift will expand access to learning and foster belonging in STEM,” Croft said.

“I’m excited about the pathways it will create for students to succeed and the impact it will have on climate action in communities.”

UVic’s Indigenous STEM outreach program has operated since 2008, working with community partners including the Songhees, Esquimalt, Tsawout, Tsartlip and T’Sou-ke Nations, among others.

The university says the latest funding will strengthen those relationships while helping more Indigenous students explore potential careers in science, technology and environmental research.