- About
- Apply
- Lead the Way: Graduate Studies at SFU in Canada for Fall 2025 & Spring 2026
- Why Grad Studies at SFU?
- Programs
- Applying
- Tuition + Fees
- Visiting + Incoming Exchange
- Awards + Funding
- Graduate Students
- Life + Community
- Faculty + Staff
- Individualized Interdisciplinary Studies in Graduate Studies
Supporting Indigenous Graduate Students

Graduate Studies is located on the ancestral, traditional and unceded territory referred to in Skwxwu7mesh (Squamish) as Lhuḵw’lhuḵw’áyten – (Burnaby Mountain, Burnaby, BC). We respectfully acknowledge the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen peoples on whose unceded traditional territories our three campuses reside.
Congratulations on being accepted to graduate school at Simon Fraser University! We look forward to supporting you on your research journey.
In addition to the resources available to all graduate students found under our Awards & Funding, Graduate Students, Community Guide, Professional Development, and News and Events sections of our website, we have collated additional support (including scholarships) available specifically for Indigenous graduate students.
Want to Speak with Someone?
Dorothy Cucw-la7 Christian (Secwepemc & Syilx Nations)
Associate Director, Indigenous Policy & Pedagogy
Email: dorothy_c@sfu.ca | Phone: 778-782-3859
Learn more about Dorothy on People of SFU
Open Office Hours: every second Wednesday, from 1:00 - 3:00 pm (MBC 1142)
Dorothy is also open to meeting with undergraduate students who are considering graduate level studies.
Topics you may wish to connect with Dorothy may include:
- overall program,
- supervisory committee,
- funding,
- Indigenizing defense(s),
- Indigenizing writing process,
Indigenous Graduate Community Resources






Indigenous Graduate Awards
Below are two sources of funding through SFU that are specifically for Indigenous graduate students. For all of the awards and funding offered through SFU, please visit our Awards + Funding pages.
Learn more about this award → | ![]() |
CPA Graduate Award in Indigenous Business and Leadership By Nomination Only | View Approx. Award Value | Business![]() |
This award valued at a minimum of $5000, will be granted annually in any term to an Indigenous graduate student enrolled in the EMBA in Indigenous Business and Leadership program, and having the intent to pursue a career in accounting. Learn more about this award → |
Indigenous Graduate Student
-
January 17, 2024
January 17, 2024
Kalaya is a MBA student in the Beedie School of Business, Three research keywords: Holistic, Empowering, Frustrating (CN Graduate Award)
-
January 02, 2024
January 02, 2024
Tara is a doctoral student of health sciences and a recipient of the SSHRC scholarship. Three keywords of research: Indigenous research ethics/ethical processes; Indigenous health research; social theory
-
January 18, 2024
January 18, 2024
Candice is a MBA student in the Beedie School of Business. Three keywords of research: Innovative, Indigenous Resilience. (BMO John Ellis Graduate Scholarship in Indigenous Business and Leadership Annual Award)
Conversations with Indigenous Graduate Students
-
April 12, 2023
April 12, 2023
Introducing Business Administration PhD student, Jordyn Hrenyk. Watch the video to learn more about Hrenyk's journey, experiences and studies.
-
April 12, 2023
April 12, 2023
Introducing Social Psychology PhD student,Tiara Cash. Watch the video to learn more about Cash's journey, experiences and studies.
-
April 06, 2023
April 06, 2023
Introducing Curriculum Theory & Implementation Education PhD student, Michelle Sylliboy. Watch the video to learn more about Sylliboy's journey, experiences and studies.
-
January 31, 2022
January 31, 2022
Introducing Health Sciences PhD student, Harlan Pruden. Watch the video to learn more about his journey, experiences and research.
-
February 14, 2022
February 14, 2022
Introducing Beedie School of Business IBL-EMBA student, Kacheena Nayhowtow. Watch the video to learn more about her journey, experiences and studies.
-
March 16, 2022
March 16, 2022
Introducing Individualized Interdisciplinary Studies PhD student, Spencer Greening. Watch the video to learn more about his journey, experiences and studies.
Newsletters
- Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement (SAGE) join the SAGE listserv by emailing the SAGE Indigenous Graduate Peer Mentor: grad.sage@ubc.ca.
- SFU’s Office for Aboriginal People’s Newsletter to learn more about SFU Indigenous-related events, announcements and important dates. Subscribe here.
- Indigenous Top Ten is a free biweekly publication designed to share breaking news, interesting research, best practices, and policy developments regarding First Nations, Métis, and Inuit education in Canada. Subscribe here.
Indigenous Research, Teaching, + Leadership Resources
Indigenous leaders and educators come to SFU to enhance their knowledge and skills in order to benefit their communities. Indigenous students take classes in every Faculty at SFU.
Indigenous Knowledge(s) in the Community with Mike Segwalise Myers
Watch the video recording of this webinar and learn from Mike Segwalise Myers of the of the Seneca Nation during a discussion with Dorothy Cucw-la7 Christian, Associate Director, Indigenous Policy & Pedagogy. Elder/knowledge keeper Mike shares how his Seneca/Haudenosaunee knowledge is at the center of community development projects he is currently involved in within the historical landscape of colonialism.
Indigenous Knowledge(s) + Language in the Academy with Lorna Wanosts’a7 Williams
Watch the video recording of this webinar and learn from Lorna Wanosts’a7 Williams of the Lil’watul Nation of the interior of BC during a discussion with Dorothy Cucw-la7 Christian, Associate Director, Indigenous Policy & Pedagogy. Williams is a highly respected Elder, Knowledge Keeper and Scholar in the international, national, and provincial spheres of influence.
Non-Indigenous SFU Faculty Supporting Indigenous Graduate Students
Watch the video recording of this webinar and learn from the faculty members and Dorothy Christian as they discuss what it means to serve on a committee for Indigenous grad students as a non-Indigenous person.

Indigenous Research Methods in Action: SFU Library Speaker Series
Watch videos of Indigenous SFU researchers discuss how they engage with Indigenous Research Methods in practice. Dorothy Christian is one of the featured speakers. Learn more and watch the discussions