On this page-please note that a special edition of Syetsem for National Indigenous Day will be sent on June 19, 2024  

• Canoe Journey RA Opportunity
  
• qaθɛtštəm kʷʊms taʔəw Tla'amin for "We will be together in our teachings."
• Indigenous Pathways Report

Travelling the River Towards a Skookum Surrey Research Project:

In this study we explore the benefits of experiential learning opportunities for improving relationships between health care and social service providers and Surrey’s urban Indigenous community. The intention is to address anti-Indigenous racism and discrimination through a co-learning model that emphasizes cultural revitalization, ceremony, land-based activities, and learning from elders.

Dr. Lyana Patrick of Simon Fraser University has partnered with Skookum Surrey and Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee (SUILC) for this project. We will conduct workshops and one on one interviews with health care and social service providers and urban Indigenous community members, and host four (4) engagement sessions with the assistance of local First Nations. The engagement activities will culminate in a canoe journey with all research participants. The project includes a film component that is intended to be used as material for cultural safety and education training. [PDF]

Audio file on pronunciation of Tla'min term: qaθɛtštəm kʷʊms taʔəw

Over the last several years Cedric Chauve and Veselin Jungic from the SFU Department of Mathematics have been collaborating with the Tla’amin Nation, Callysto, and Pacific Institute for Mathematical Sciences on a joint project of making mathematical models of some of the Tla’amin traditions.

The Tla’amin name of the project is: qaθɛtštəm kʷʊms taʔəw which translates in English as “we will be together in our teachings.”

At a recent meeting, each member of the project team was gifted a Möbius strip woven by a group of members of the Tla'amin Nation.

Since the Möbius strip, as a one-sided and one-edged surface is often used as a symbol for infinity and unity, under the guidance of Elder Betty Wilson and with help from Mrs. Marina Mohar (photo) and Ms. Juliet Neun-Hornick (font design) the project logo has been created (see photo).

After creating mathematical models and learning resources based on the traditional basket weaving and the stone fish traps, the group is finalizing a mathematical model of the traditional canoes.

For more information about the project, please contact Veselin Jungic at math_catcher@sfu.ca