SFU has carried out an extensive engagement process regarding the First Peoples’ Gathering House and that process is ongoing.

The engagement process began in September 2016 through the work of the Aboriginal Reconciliation Council (ARC), in which the need for a ceremonial hall/longhouse was identified. ARC engaged a broad range of groups over a year of consultations comprising open forums and information sessions, and the committee included student representation. The engagement process continued in 2019 to choose the site for the facility, to define the project vision and site program spaces.

Thank you to all who participated; Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and Kwikwetlem First Nations; the Squamish Nation Education, Employment and Training Committee and Language & Cultural Affairs, First Nations Student Association, the SFU Indigenous Student Centre and the SFU community at large.

The VISION + PROGRAM + SITE SELECTION report, by Urban Arts Architecture Inc, contains detailed information about the vision and values for the facility, engagement sessions, guiding principles, site location and programming space considerations. 

Scheduled Events 

Three virtual workshops, facilitated by Indigenous Architect and Designer, Ouri Scott and Jake Chakasim of Urban Arts Architecture were held in October 2020; Connecting to the Land + Pedagogy, Informal Gathering + Support Spaces and Ceremony + Gathering.

In November 2020, the project executive met with the First Nations Student Association. President Joy Johnson and Board Chair Chris Lewis held an informal conversation open to all Indigenous faculty, staff and students on November 23.

Urban Arts Architecture hosted a virtual Student Townhall meeting January 14, 2021.
 

SFU FPGH Host Nations Townhall                                                                      March 12, 2021

SFU Indigenous Faculty & Staff Townhall                                                          March 29, 2021

SFU Indigenous Student Townhall                                                                      March 31, 2021