News and Stories

The Indigenous Garden, located on the unceded, traditional territories of the Səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), and Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, is more than just a green space—it is a symbol of healing and learning. The Garden serves as a dedicated area for celebrating Indigenous knowledges, pedagogies, practices, and ceremonies, as well as reflection and dialogue. It is also a place that invites community healing and profound learning.

On September 29th, the Nass Valley in Northwest British Columbia will witness an event of profound significance. The House of Ni’isjoohl memorial pole will return to its homeland, embraced by the arms of its ancestral community.

On Wednesday, September 27, Education faculty, staff, and students united for Sacred Fire Talks, engaging in discussions, storytelling, and exercises with survivors of Indigenous Residential Schools as part of Indigenous Education Week, in advance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The Nisga’a Lisims Government (NLG) and National Museums Scotland (NMS) announce that the House of Ni’isjoohl memorial pole will return home to the Nass Valley this September, in a historic moment for reconciliation.

Congratulations to Sigidimnak Nox Ts'aawit Dr. Amy Parent and the Nisga'a Ni'isjoohl Memorial Pole Rematriation Team!

Lorelei Williams spoke at a virtual lunch-and-learn event on Red Dress Day, sharing personal experiences and advocating for awareness and action towards the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

A panel discussion recently hosted at the Bill Reid Gallery in Vancouver focused on the specifics of the Ni'isjoohl Pole Memorial Pole re-m/patriation, especially in relation to the wider international contexts of law, culture, governance, education, and decolonizing mandates and actions in colonial institutional systems.

This Ni’isjoohl memorial pole is the first totem pole successfully repatriated from the United Kingdom, and the second to be returned from a European museum.

IERC and the Faculty of Education are honoured to be displaying the Peter Henderson Bryce: A Man of Conscience exhibit in The Learning Hub until December 1, 2022.

Guided by Indigenous values and principles, Dr. Parent's research aims to support Indigenous governance and education, strengthen rematriation processes and create a local exemplar for Indigenous control of Indigenous research in B.C.

An inspiring conversation with award-winning author Monique Gray Smith, a self-guided tour of various resources, books and films, as well as a fireside chat with Indigenous knowledge holders and artists Angela and Gabriel George – these were just some of the highlights of the inaugural Indigenous Education Week hosted by the Faculty of Education between September 26 – 30, 2022

Congratulations to Dr. Alanaise Ferguson, who along with eight of Simon Fraser University’s leading academic scholars, have been honoured with the prestigious title of Distinguished SFU Professor.

Dr. Kris Magnusson, Dean, invites all Education students, staff and faculty to participate in Indigenous Education Week (September 26-30).

Len Pierre, member of Katzie First Nation and founder of his own Indigenous consulting firm, Len Pierre Consulting, says doing his Master of Education degree at SFU helped lay the foundation for the principles and practices he brings to his work facilitating Indigenous cultural safety training, reconciliation, decolonization and anti-racism in large organizations.

Dr. Amy Parent is taking part in an initiative in Scotland to repatriate a Nisga'a memorial pole.

Congratulations to Dr. Alanaise Ferguson, who along with eight of Simon Fraser University’s leading academic scholars, have been honoured with the prestigious title of Distinguished SFU Professor.

Drs. Davidson & Nikki L. Yee share perspectives on teaching mandatory post-secondary Indigenous education courses, in educational environments that are themselves superdiverse.

Congratulations to Dr. Amy Parent who has been announced as Member of the Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research (Leadership Circle)!

Starting with the class of 2024, high school graduates in British Columbia will need to complete mandatory Indigenous-focused coursework to obtain their Dogwood diploma.

Dr. Alanaise Ferguson is Anishinaabe of the Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation in Manitoba and now resides in Sto:lo territory where she practices counselling psychology within several Indigenous communities.

Indigenous student Chérie Baker, of Skwxwú7mesh Úxwimixw (Squamish Nation), entered the field of education as a result of the significant impact and trauma endured by her family as a result of the residential school system.

The Kris Magnusson Emerging Leaders Graduate Award in Education was established at Simon Fraser University in 2019 with generous gifts from friends and colleagues of Kris Magnusson in honour of his decade as Dean of Education.

On September 30th, the Indigenous Education Reconciliation Council and the Executive Council, as well as faculty, staff and students in Faculty of Education, are remembering and honouring all those impacted by residential schools. We thank those who have shared their stories of survival, healing and resilience with us.

Congratulations to doctoral candidate Michelle Sylliboy who tied to win the Published Poetry in English prize at the third annual Indigenous Voices Awards for her book Kiskajeyi—I am Ready (Rebel Mountain Press)!

Dean Susan O’Neill, on behalf of the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University, is pleased to announce Dr. Michelle Pidgeon as the inaugural Associate Dean, Indigeneity.

A class of SFU graduate students initiated a pro-active move this summer to improve the Fraser River’s habitat for salmon. They worked with First Nations, school students, and community groups to plant 1,000 trees and indigenous plants along local creeks.

As a member of the Cree Nation of Chisasibi in Northern Quebec, Smeja had earlier struggled as a clinical psychology undergrad, feeling tension from how the field has negatively impacted Indigenous peoples in the name of research and science.

The university’s Faculty of Education received $180,000 to support the addition of new seats for the Indigenous students in SFU’s Professional Development (Teacher Education) Program.

“I had always dreamed of going to university,” says Barbara Wilson, who at 76 years is the oldest student to convocate with a graduate degree from Simon Fraser University this summer.

The 2019 $100,000 Cmolik Prize for the Enhancement of Public Education in B.C. has been awarded to Debbie Leighton-Stephens, Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser for their innovative Networks of Inquiry and Indigenous Education (NOIIE). The inquiry-oriented, evidence-based approach to learning and teaching has improved education in British Columbia.

Amy Parent, a 2014 graduate of UBC and member of the Nisga'a Nation, used X̱wi7x̱wa to conduct research as a graduate student studying Indigenous education. But it was the librarians’ efforts to reach out and get to know their library’s visitors that stood out to Parent.

Dr. Amy Parent is helping students learn how to engage with Indigenous stories by having them write—or, more accurately, draw—their own.

Relief is in sight for parents who want to enrol their children in French language programs, thanks to the 37 additional French teacher training spaces filled this year and an investment in new spaces.

Returning to university later in life is always a challenge, but Cheryl Schweizer, 53, of the Tlazt’en Nation, encountered more obstacles than usual.

The Simon Fraser University Dean’s Undergraduate Medal for the Faculty of Education was awarded to Jennifer Wilkinson last week when she graduated with her Bachelor of General Studies. The Dean’s Medal is annually awarded by instructor recommendation, to one student whose cumulative GPA is in the top five percent of their faculty.

In honour of International Women's Day last week, the YWCA Metro Vancouver announced 85 outstanding nominees for the upcoming 34th Annual Women of Distinction Awards. Out of 85 nominees, 4 are from SFU, including Michelle Pidgeon, Associate Professor for the Faculty of Education.

British Columbia’s education curriculum is undergoing significant change. One of its challenges is a requirement for teachers to infuse Indigenous knowledge and practices into all curriculum subjects.

Last fall, SFU responded to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action by establishing an Aboriginal Reconciliation Council (ARC) tasked with discovering the best way to promote reconciliation within the SFU community.

I am pleased that, thanks to the efforts of many, SFU has made significant progress during the past year to advance Indigenous education, knowledge and understanding.

Acclaimed carver and artist Jody Broomfield has just completed an SFU-Squamish Nation Welcome Figure symbolizing SFU’s commitment to Aboriginal peoples and Indigenous education.

The Faculty of Education opened its own Aboriginal Gathering Space last year—a spacious light-filled room featuring comfortable seating and a small kitchen, with cultural photos and teachings adorning the walls.