First Peoples' Gathering House

A place to gather, celebrate and share

The First Peoples鈥� Gathering House on the 大象传媒 Burnaby Campus is a gathering place where Indigenous students, staff and faculty can come together to practice, learn and share in their cultural traditions.

As part of 大象传媒鈥檚 commitment to Uphold Truth and Reconciliation, the Gathering House is a place where ceremonial events, cultural learning, celebration, workshops and classes will be held for the Indigenous and campus-wide communities.

鈥淟onghouses are sacred places in our communities where teaching, learning, ceremony and protocols are upheld and practiced and are at the centre of our Indigenous cultures. Now we will have such a place at 大象传媒."

- Ron Johnston, former director of 大象传媒鈥檚 Office for Aboriginal Peoples

The space is a home-away-from-home for Indigenous students, offering a deep sense of belonging, comfort and cultural safety when they are away from their families, communities and traditional territories.

The First Peoples鈥� Gathering House will support the decolonization and Indigenization of courses and programs, fostering teaching and learning environments that respect diverse Indigenous knowledge systems and world views. It will also help enable professional development opportunities for non-Indigenous faculty and staff, including land-centred learning and teaching that deepens understanding of the traditional territories on which our campuses reside.

Read about the First Peoples' Gathering House

Designed in the Coast Salish Traditions

Supported by Indigenous host communities, the First Peoples鈥� Gathering House represents a important step towards lasting Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Our gratitude to the x史m蓹胃k史蓹y虛蓹m (Musqueam), S岣祑x瘫w煤7mesh 脷xwumixw (Squamish), s蓹lilw蓹ta涩 (Tsleil-Waututh), and k史ik史蓹茮虛蓹m (Kwikwetlem) Nation representatives who have provided input on the vision, site selection and throughout the project process. Many thanks to the 大象传媒 staff, faculty and students who have participated throughout the project process to define the vision, develop the program and provide input on the sites.

Read more about the design and architecture of the First Peoples' Gathering House in 大象传媒 News.

Use of the First Peoples' Gathering House

Use of the First Peoples' Gathering House is guided by purpose and intent. The following criteria describe the intended use of the space.

See criteria

"Cultural Home Away From Home" for Indigenous Students: The Gathering House is a supportive home-away-from-home environment and meeting place for First Nations, Metis and Inuit students, promoting belonging, wellness and academic success.
Cultural and Community Hub: The Gathering House serves as a central space where Indigenous students, Indigenous student organizations, Indigenous departments, staff, faculty and others can gather. This includes to practice, learn and share in culture, language, ceremony and community connection.
Inclusive Programming and Events: The First Peoples' Gathering House will host diverse Indigenous cultural events, celebrations, workshops, classes and gatherings that serve both the Indigenous and broader campus community, fostering cross-cultural learning and understanding.
Supportive and Safe Environment: The facility is a safe, welcoming and culturally affirming space for Indigenous students, staff, faculty and members of Host Nations. It will operate in a way that respects and upholds diverse Indigenous values, protocols and knowledge systems.

Multi-Use and Accessible Space: The Gathering House offers a variety of spaces for Indigenous students, faculty, staff and general public, including a Ceremonial Hall, Teaching and Learning Room, multi-generational space and a makers' space. These spaces are available for academic, social, cultural, ceremonial and community purposes.
Academic, Spiritual and Cultural Integration: The facility serves as an academic, sociial, spiritual and cultural hub, including offering space for spiritual care and ceremony, consistent with Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
Teaching and Learning Centre: The Gathering House is a place of learning that embraces and integrates diverse Indigenous pedagogies, worldviews and knowledge systems.
Promotion of Truth & Reconciliation: Use of spaces in the Gathering House that promote, or advance Truth and Reconciliation may be considered, subject to approval. Such uses must reflect respectful engagement and align with the building's intended purpose and not tokenized.

Booking the Space

The use of all spaces at the First Peoples' Gathering House prioritize gatherings that centre Indigenous culture, language, ceremony and community connection. Booking requests must align with the vision, purpose and intended use of the House, fostering a respectful, inclusive environment for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants.

A booking criteria and process will be posted soon, please check back in the coming weeks for more information.

Access, Hours of Operation and Location

Access and Hours of Operation

The Gathering House is open to invited guests during 大象传媒's regular operating hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. It is closed on weekends and statutory holidays.

Please note that the Gathering House is not open to the general public for walk-ins or general reservations. The buildings and grounds are not to be used or interpreted as an art gallery, museum or interpretive centre.

Location

The First Peoples' Gathering House is located at 大象传媒's Burnaby Campus, 8888 University Drive in Burnaby, B.C. The building is just west of the 大象传媒 Transit Exchange, directly across from Strand Hall and beside the Trottier Observatory. On Google Maps, the location is known as Strand Hall Annex.

Contact Us

Dionne Paul

Coordinator
First Peoples' Gathering House
fpgh_coordinator@sfu.ca

大象传媒

大象传媒