The University of Victoria is proud to announce the appointment of three new associate deans Indigenous (ADI) in the faculties of Law, Fine Arts and the Gustavson School of Business. These senior academic roles are a significant step in advancing UVic’s Indigenous Plan—Xʷkʷənəŋistəl | W̱ȻENEṈISTEL | Helping to move each other forward—and reflect our shared responsibility to uphold ʔetalnəwəl | ÁTOL,NEUEL | respecting the rights of one another and being in right relationship with all things.
The new ADIs will provide visionary leadership and ensure Indigenous perspectives, knowledge systems and governance practices are embedded in faculty structures, curriculum, research and decision-making. The appointments respond to both community calls and faculty needs for dedicated Indigenous leadership to support curriculum reform, hiring and evaluation processes, mentorship of Indigenous students and meaningful engagement with local Nations.
This is a transformative moment for our institution. These new positions bring connection to community, leadership strength and a wealth of Indigenous knowledge to their faculties. Their leadership supports the collective responsibility we have to ensure that Indigenous students, faculty and staff can thrive in spaces that recognize, respect and reflect who they are.”
— Paul Whitinui, special advisor to the vice-president Indigenous
The creation of ADI positions across faculties was a joint initiative between the Office of the Vice-President Academic and Provost and the Etalew̓txʷ | ÁTOL,ÁUTW̱ |Office of the Vice-President Indigenous. These roles were created in alignment with UVic’s 2022–2025 Collective Agreement, which recognized the need for Indigenous-led leadership and more equitable systems across the university. The first such position created was in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, filled by associate dean Indigenous Devi Mucina.
These new roles aren’t symbolic—they’re transformational. They reflect a shift toward Indigenous governance and knowledge-sharing that is shaping the future of post-secondary education in Canada.”
— Paul Whitinui, special advisor to the vice-president Indigenous
Meet UVic’s new associate deans Indigenous
François Bastien, ADI, Gustavson School of Business
A faculty member since 2020, François Bastien brings five years of leadership and scholarship to this new role in the Gustavson School of Business. A member of the Huron-Wendat First Nation, Bastien will help strengthen Indigenous leadership within the university: supporting curriculum reform, hiring and evaluation processes, mentorship for Indigenous students, and deeper engagement with local Nations. Learn more about the Gustavson ADI.
Danielle Geller, ADI, Fine Arts
Danielle Geller is helping shift the conversation around reconciliation and representation in the arts. A Navajo writer, memoirist and professor in the Department of Writing, Geller brings a thoughtful, relationship-centered approach to Faculty of Fine Arts leadership—one rooted in listening, collaboration and action. Through her new role, she aims to strengthen community connections, support Indigenous students, staff and faculty and create pathways that honour Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Learn more about the Fine Arts ADI.
Sarah Morales, ADI, Faculty of Law
Sarah Morales (Su-taxwiye) is the first-ever Associate Dean Indigenous at UVic’s Faculty of Law. She is Coast Salish and a member of Cowichan Tribes and serves as the associate dean Indigenous in the Faculty of Law and director of the JD/JID program. Her research focuses on Indigenous legal traditions—particularly those of the Coast Salish peoples—as well as Indigenous law and human rights. Grounded in the laws and snuw’uyulh (teachings) of the Hul’qumi’num Mustimuhw, her work strengthens Indigenous governance, nation-building and the recognition of inherent rights and jurisdiction. Learn more about the Law ADI.
Devi Dee Mucina, ADI, Graduate Studies
An Indigenous Ubuntu from the Ngoni and Shona peoples of southern Africa, Devi Dee Mucina brings a wealth of knowledge in community-based research, equity and social justice. He earned his PhD in Sociology and Equity Studies from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. Learn more about the Graduate Studies ADI.
