CHASI

SAVE THE DATE | On November 4, Shel Stefan, Associate Professor, School of Arts, presents an open lecture on their research trip exploring themes of queer and trans resilience at Chicago's 2SLGBTQIA+ museums and archives.

What role can firefighters play as public health educators? Our colleagues at the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council share an approach in their new guest article.

Read more: blogs.ufv.ca/chasi/2025/1...

Participate in the survey for Indigenous community members: redc.phri.ca/redcap/surve...

This afternoon, the UFV Faculty and Staff Association will host a presentation from Palestinian community organizer and VIU Sociology graduate Sara Kishawi titled "Promoting Community Change on Campus in the Face of Institutional Resistance."

Read more: blogs.ufv.ca/changemaking...

Illustration show a hand holding up a photo. In the foreground, the photo shows a vibrant, colourful marketplace full of people; in the background, it shows the same location, grey and reduced to rubble and ruins. The illustration highlights the contrast between the city that once existed, and the devastated state it is currently in.

"Welcome to Palestine" by CHASI artist-in-residence and UFV student Sharon Strauss.

Sharon writes: "I hope that someday the Palestinian people can live and thrive in their homeland, free of war and oppression."

Photo of two copies of The Cascade, UFV's student newspaper. One is lying flat to show the cover, and the other is on top, folded over to show a specific article. The article's headline is "UFV course brought to federal prison." The text of the article is too small to read in the photo, but can be read at ufvcascade.ca.

Thank you to The Cascade for speaking to Dr. Brett Pardy about his experiences teaching at the Pacific Institution. We're proud to have played a role facilitating this project, and always love hearing how meaningful it's been for both students and instructors.

ufvcascade.ca/ufv-course-b...

🎉 Big news from UFV!

We’re proud to share that the University of the Fraser Valley has been officially named a Changemaker Campus by Ashoka U — joining a global network of institutions committed to systems change, social innovation, and community-rooted learning.

UFV named Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, earning global recognition for local leadership in social innovation The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) has been designated an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, joining a global network of institutions that are reimagining the role of post-secondary education in driv...

We appreciate the many individuals and departments who have come together to make this happen, and know those partnerships will grow as we continue this important work as an officially recognized Changemaker Campus.

Read more: blogs.ufv.ca/blog/2025/09...

Screenshot of an article headline. It reads "UFV named Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, earning global recognition for local leadership in social innovation." A photo below shows people gathered and sitting together, and is captioned "Dr. Martha Dow leads a group discussion during a changemaking session at the Gathering Place on the UFV Chilliwack campus."

We are incredibly excited to share this news — CHASI has been proud to help lead UFV in the process to earn this prestigious recognition.

@goufv.bsky.social

How do fire services balance the complex needs of providing effective and timely to a wide geographical area?

Drawing from CHASI's analyses, the NIFSC explores a data-driven approach to finding optimal locations that best serve Indigenous communities across Canada.

blogs.ufv.ca/chasi/2025/0...

Photo of Minister Sunner arriving at CHASI's door and shaking hands with CHASI director Dr. Martha Dow. Behind her, Dr. James Mandigo and Dr. Tracy Ryder Glass enter the room.

Photo of Minister Sunner and Dr. Martha Dow speaking in CHASI's space, while others speak in small groups in the background.

Photo of people seated around a table in CHASI's office. They are all looking to Minister Sunner as she speaks and smiling or laughing. A window in the background displays CHASI's name, and has a rainbow flag hanging at the top of it.

Group photo of the entire group of 16 people, posing in front of CHASI's "Together Empowered" mural, which shows blue-tinted figure holding out their hands like scales to balance those two words.

CHASI had the privilege of sitting down with the Honourable Jessie Sunner, B.C.'s Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills during her recent visit to UFV.

Read more: blogs.ufv.ca/chasi/2025/0...

UFV brings in-person university classes to federal prison A two-year-long partnership between Abbotsford’s Pacific Institution and the University of the Fraser Valley is bringing higher education to inmates, preparing them for life after incarceration.   The...

We've been incredibly proud to facilitate this collaboration between @goufv.bsky.social and the Correctional Service of Canada. We look forward to continuing to bring these eager learners together with exceptional instructors!

Learn more: blogs.ufv.ca/blog/2025/08...

🌻 The August edition of the Research Office Newsletter is hitting your mailboxes now. Didn't get it? Check your junk folder, or sign up & view previous editions here.
👉 bit.ly/ResearchNewsSignUp

Today's guest article from the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council looks at how Indigenous knowledge and controlled burns can reduce the overall destruction of wildfires in Canada.

Read it on CHASI's blog: blogs.ufv.ca/chasi/2025/0...

YouTube video by UFV CHASI Hub Third annual UFV walkout in support of women in Afghanistan

Thank you to special guest speaker and UFV student Sahar Maqsoodi for sharing your calls to action with us today at the walkout.

To watch a recording of her speech, please visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=87Np...

Photo of the gathered crowd of approximately 50 people standing in a line outdoors on UFV's Abbotsford campus. They are holding signs in support of women in Afghanistan.

It's been 4 years since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan and began imposing a regime of gender apartheid. These discriminatory systems have dire consequences for all Afghans, particularly for women and girls who are deprived of their fundamental rights, from education to free movement.

Screenshot of a digital newspaper page. It shows a photo of Dr. James Mandigo, and has the headline "using education to transform community and create pathways." The text of the article is too long to fit in this alt text, but explains Dr. Mandigo's vision and approach to his time as president. There is a pull quote that says "I look forward to working alongside my colleagues and to engaging with our communities to continue to have meaningful and impactful engagement with all the communities we serve." The full text is available at the link in this post, which goes to an e-edition of the Abbotsford News. This article is on page 15.

Abbotsford News featured a fantastic write-up of Dr. James Mandigo (@ufvpresident.bsky.social) and his vision for UFV as a "positive changemaker for the region."

We're excited to work with Dr. Mandigo to help make the vision a reality!

Read it at www.abbynews.com/e-editions?i... (turn to page 15).

This latest guest post from our colleagues at the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council explores critical tools and strategies to put human lives above monetary concerns. Read more: blogs.ufv.ca/chasi/2025/0...

Illustration. It shows a colourful image of a femme person with neon rainbow lines across her skin like paint splatters. She's forming her hands into a heart, and the negative space forming the heart shape is coloured red. Her hair is long, black, and flowing wildly forming a black background to the whole piece. Her eyes are closed and she wears a look of content. Around her head are purple butterflies made of sharp angles almost like broken glass. The piece has a tone of loving acceptance.

To mark the final day of #DisabilityPrideMonth, CHASI presents a new piece from CHASI artist-in-residence Sharon Strauss: “In spite of it all, I’m proud I’m me”

You can read Sharon's reflection on the personal significance of this piece here: blogs.ufv.ca/chasi/2025/0...

The deadliest threats to firefighters often emerge long after the sirens have faded, according to our latest guest post from our colleagues at the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council (NIFSC)

blogs.ufv.ca/chasi/2025/0...

Poster for a walkout in support of women in Afghanistan. A large illustration depicts Illustration of a woman in a blue burqa holding a rose. She is standing in a field of red flowers. The bottom of her burqa is on fire and the fire blends into the red and orange flowers around her. The background is bright white with indications of a smoky sky. Text reads: "It’s been four years since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan and began taking rights from women. Join us for a walkout to raise awareness and stand in solidarity with those women.Ban education. Block healthcare. Bury hope. Afghanistan’s women deserve better. Thursday, August 14 | 12:00–12:30 PM UFV Abbotsford | Breezeway between buildings A&B."

Two photos showing crowds of people lined up for a photo, holding signs supporting women in Afghanistan. Text identifies them as the 2023 and 2024 walkouts.

August marks four years since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan.

Please join us at noon on Thursday, August 14 for our third annual walkout of UFV's Abbotsford campus in solidarity with the women of Afghanistan.

For information or questions, please contact chasi@ufv.ca.

Our sincere thanks to everyone who helped make these collaborations happen! Maintaining a culture of visible, outspoken pride on campus is essential to the social well-being of our community, and as always, we plan to continue our advocacy year-round.

Photo of a newspaper, opened to a page with the headline "Queer on Campus." Art shows a femme person riding a unicorn, wearing knight's armour, holding a Pride Progress flag up high. A brightly coloured rainbow pattern covers the page behind the illustration and the article's text.

The same day, our friends at UFV’s autonomous student newspaper, The Cascade, published a collaboration with CHASI, featuring reflections on our experiences of being queer, being allies, and CHASI's role in those journeys.

Read it in papers on campus or at this link: ufvcascade.ca/queer-on-cam...

Photo of drag queen Colin Alda Monsters standing by a microphone, excitedly gesturing into the air as she leads Drag Musical Bingo. The event is on a patio decorated with lots of rainbow and Pride flag decorations. Event attendees watching her are out of focus in the foreground.

Wide shot of the Tea Dance on the patio at UFV Abbotsford's K building. It is decorated with rainbow flags, hanging paper balloons, and rainbow plates and napkins. Each table has people around it, mingling and talking.

Attendees at the Tea Dance stand around a table, holding bingo cards. One smiles at the camera, while others look off camera towards the stage.

CHASI Director Dr. Martha Dow and UFV President Dr. James Mandigo speak at the Tea Dance, both wearing Pride shirts.

On June 25, UFV celebrated Pride with the third annual Tea Dance — with this year featuring Drag Musical Bingo hosted by UFV’s own Colin Alda Monsters! The event was hosted and organized by UFV Office of Sustainability and CHASI, with support from UFV Faculty & Staff Association.

Drawing on a 2020 report from CHASI, the latest NIFSC article highlights the disproportionate losses in first nations communities, which communities are at the highest risk, and how Community Risk Reduction offers potential solutions.

Read it at blogs.ufv.ca/chasi/2025/0...

Photo of a crowd of people inside CHASI's office, standing to listen to a speech from Dr. James Mandigo

Photo of Sharon Strauss showing her art, which is displayed on the wall, to a guest at the event.

Photo of three people speaking and smiling around a tall table. The table has a plant centrepiece, and a large, bright pride flag hangs above a window behind them.

Photo of the crowd at the event, centered on the mural on CHASI's wall. The mural depicts a figure, painted in blue, holding up their hands like scales. Above each hand is a word, saying "together empowered."

Earlier this month, CHASI opened our doors to commemorate five years of serving our communities alongside our many partners to mix, mingle, and enjoy our new art exhibition!

You can see more details and pictures are on our blog: blogs.ufv.ca/chasi/2025/0...

Photo of people posing. Amrit Mahal is in the centre wearing graduation regalia and holding her degree. Five other members of CHASI surround her, smiling for the camera.

Holly Cooper poses for a photo in graduation regalia, holding balloons and flowers.

Congratulations to all of our new graduates! 🎈

All of these fantastic members of the CHASI team — past and present — officially earned their credentials this week:

🎓 Holly Cooper
🎓 Ava Hedblom
🎓 Emma Hones
🎓 Amrit Mahal
🎓 Mayu Ochi
🎓 Chloe Raible
🎓 Bethany Zimmerman

UFV Drag Musical Bingo & Tea Dance Join us for a night of friends, food, drinks, dancing, and musical bingo led by none other than Colin Alda Monsters! This is a 19+ event.

We're thrilled to be teaming up with Sustainable UFV, UFV's Pride Collective, and the Faculty & Staff Association to bring the Tea Dance back for a third year, this time paired with Drag Musical Bingo.

Join us June 25 for this free, fun, and inclusive event!

www.eventbrite.ca/e/ufv-drag-m...?

Poster. An image at the top shows of a photo of a large group of people gathering for a 50th anniversary celebration in the Student Union Building atrium. Text reads: "Let's talk about belonging and connection at UFV: Join our focus groups! All participants will receive a $20 Fair Grounds gift card. UFV's Community Health and Social Innovation Hub invites current UFV students to participate in focus groups regarding student belonging, connection, and community. By sharing your insights, you can help us to better understand the student experience and identify gaps in institutional resources. We want to hear from you! This research project is being conducted by the Community Health and Social Innovation Hub at the University of the Fraser Valley. Questions? Please contact chasi@ufv.ca." Below is a QR code and short URL, which reads "bit.ly/te-focus.

UFV students: we want to hear about your experiences with community at the our university!

We're looking for people to participate in our upcoming focus groups. If you'd like to participate, please scan the QR code in this post or visit: forms.office.com/pages/respon...

Photo of Chelsea Klassen and Rita Dhungel speaking into podcast microphones. Text reads: "CHASIcast #19: Community Development in Changing Times."

How can we work towards a better society in difficult times?

The CHASIcast is pleased to welcome back Dr. Rita Dhungel, joined this time by Chelsea Klassen, CHASI's lead researcher.

Listen on your favourite podcast app, or at blogs.ufv.ca/chasi/chasicast-19

The Sumas First Nation Emergency Preparedness Fair is an annual event held to offer education and awareness about emergency preparedness and emergency respon... Sumas First Nation Emergency Preparedness Fair: May 9, 2025

Sumas First Nation is delighted to share some highlights from our Annual Emergency Preparedness Fair!

The Sumas First Nation Emergency Preparedness Fair is an annual event held to offer education and awareness about emergency preparedness.