FIRST PEOPLES' GATHERING HOUSE MONTHLY UPDATE
DESIGN UPDATE
We continue to work with the City of Burnaby to ensure the release of the building permit that will allow us to begin construction.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
The Project is currently out to the market for tender, the project team continues to discuss with the construction manager opportunities to engage with Indigenous students, faculty and staff and host nations as part of the process.
The project team also continues to review various ways to build on the land responsibly such as implementing erosion sediment control measures to minimize environmental and ecological impacts during construction.
While looking forward to the future at the site of the new First Peoples’ Gathering House, a Ground Awakening Ceremony will be held before the start of construction. Preliminary conversations continue to be underway for the planning
COMMITTEE UPDATE
Engaging Host Nations has been a priority on the project. Further to the virtual workshops held in October 2020, March 2021 and September 2021 bringing together Elders and Knowledge Keepers from the four Host Nations, SFU hosted an in-person event to welcome host nation representatives on campus in April 2022 to show our deep appreciation and to seek guidance on several matters related to reconciliation at SFU, such as house posts, student engagements through written or pictorial art that can be applied to the construction fencing and other opportunities.