SFU President's Message on Indigenous Education

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.

Last fall, we responded to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action by establishing an SFU Aboriginal Reconciliation Council (SFU-ARC). The SFU-ARC is consulting Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples within the University and broader communities in order to develop a set of recommendations to guide SFU's reconciliation activities. The University has allocated $9 million over the next four years to support initiatives resulting from this process.

Also last fall, SFU mounted a remarkable President's Dream Colloquium entitled "Returning to the Teachings: Justice, Identity and Belonging." Using ceremony, lectures and dialogue, the colloquium provided a program of education and reconciliation in partnership with elders and knowledge-keepers from the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Kwantlen, Katzie and Kwikwetlem First Nations. The featured speakers were Chief Robert Joseph, Wab Kinew, John Borrows, Wade Davis, Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, Rupert Ross, Jennifer Llewellyn, Stephen Reicher and Manulani Aluli-Meyer.

As you will see in this special edition of SFU News, there have been many other positive developments over the past year. Some highlights include:

• The First Nations Student Association hosted its third annual Indigenous Day
• Our ongoing work in First Nations' languages research and revitalization
• A welcome pole has been carved and will be located on the Burnaby Campus
• The new SFU ímesh mobile app showcasing Indigenous art pieces on the Burnaby Campus
• An Aboriginal Gathering Place opened in the Faculty of Education

I am pleased by the steps we have taken to support Indigenous students, and inspired by the ways in which I have seen these students excel during my time at SFU. It is also gratifying to see the growing awareness of Indigenous history, culture and knowledge within the University, as well as the increased interest in Indigenous research. And I am heartened that we are making progress in strengthening our relationships with First Nations and other Aboriginal communities.

As Canada’s 'engaged university,' we remain deeply committed to the continuing work of reconciliation, education and healing.

I thank all members of the SFU community for their support, and I look forward to the further progress that we will make together in the months and years to come.

Professor Andrew Petter 
President, Simon Fraser University