Above image: Mother Earth's Song by Darlene Gait of the Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nation. Image developed in collaboration with Robin Adams for the former College of Dental Hygienists of BC in 2019. Learn more at the bottom of the page. 

Mission, Vision, Values
Picture
​Photo by Tim Chung, TC Visuals (2022)

​​"Robin Adams is a warrior for Indigenous peoples". 

- Roy Henry Vickers, 
First Nations artist, author, holder of a hereditary chieftainship, several hereditary names, and the Order of BC.
PictureMarie Gait Pictured delivering a blessing next to Robin Adams.



​"I'm speaking out on behalf of Robin. I've never met anyone as nice as her, she has a lot to offer to humanity. She's very supportive towards Indigenous people. She's an asset to me and I'm very proud of her work. My name is Marie Gait and I'm an Elder at the Esquimalt Nation".

​- Howl'q'mol'wet, Marie Gait,
One of the last surviving Elders of the Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nation. 
​About the art in the top banner
​Mother Earth's Song by Darlene Gait of the Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nation
Robin Adams collaborated with Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nation artist, Darlene Gait in 2019 to create Mother Earth's Song, consisting of oil pencil, ink, paint, canvas, copper, and sand-blasted glass. This 4' X 10' art piece was installed in the offices of the former College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia on the ancestral territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) speaking peoples, the Songhees and Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) First Nations. Embedded within this art piece are many values and messages about Indigenous Anti-Racism, Cultural Safety and Humility, symbolized within the woman, wolf, salmon, and moon. Looking to this visual Coast Salish art piece as a reminder and guide, the CDHBC advanced many Indigenous Anti-Racism projects guided by Robin Adams before amalgamating to become the BC College of Oral Health Professionals in September 2022. 
​Above Photo: 
​Mother Earth's Song unveiling at the College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia (2019). 
(Left) Artist, Darlene Gait of the Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nation, (Centre) Robin Adams, (Right) Marie Gait, Elder of the Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nation. 

Since 2021 I have been privileged to live and work from my home in the ancestral territory of the Cañari people, in the southern mountains of what is now commonly called Ecuador. 

I am originally from lands that are now commonly called the city of Victoria on Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. I recognize that this place has been called other names for thousands of years prior to colonization.

These lands and waters are the ancestral and treaty territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) peoples, the Songhees First Nation and Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) First Nation, as well as the ancestral and treaty territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples made up of the BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁ,UTW̱ (Tsawout), W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), and W̱SÍḴEM (Tseycum) First Nations. These First Peoples have had a special relationship with this part of the earth since time immemorial.

​Indigenous lands rights are an integral part of Indigenous health and human rights. I recognize without qualification the inherent lands rights and title of the First Peoples on these lands and waters, as articulated in Section 35 of the Constitution Act of Canada 1982, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which is enshrined in various legislation in what is now commonly called Canada. 

hay čxʷ q̓ə (Lekwungen) / Thank you