National Indigenous Peoples Month
June is National Indigenous Peoples Month, and June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Across the university we honour the history, culture, resilience and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples to SFU and across Canada.
Find a guide to events, resources, stories and ways to get connected below.
Be sure to check this page throughout the month as we add new events and additional updates.
Why National Indigenous Peoples Month?
Our Indigenous community at SFU has begun to recognize the month of June as “National Indigenous Peoples Month” rather than “National Indigenous History Month,” as this is a more meaningful representation of what we are celebrating.
The word “history” can perpetuate the common misconception that Indigenous peoples are only in the past, however, this is not the case as we are still around today. The use of National Indigenous Peoples Month is intended to better encapsulate not only our history, but present-day culture and knowledges. We use this time to celebrate the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada.
While this language is a slight departure from “National Indigenous History Month”, created by the Government of Canada, it reflects the shift in emerging terminology and recognizes the diversity across Turtle Island.
~Indigenous Student Centre
National Indigenous People's Day
This National Indigenous People's Day, to celebrate and honour the culture, heritage and diversity of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island and across SFU's campuses, Indigenous students, faculty and staff share an introduction about their cultural and geographical background.
Upholding Truth and Reconciliation: SFU What's Next
Earlier this year, SFU launched a new strategy to establish a shared vision, purpose and values for SFU, as well as four priorities that will form our framework for action moving forward: uphold Truth and Reconciliation, engage in global challenges, make a difference for B.C. and transform the SFU experience.
SFU recognizes and honours the title and rights of Indigenous people as stated in UNDRIP and we respect and partner with the host Indigenous Nations on which our campuses are located. We have the responsibility to illuminate the truth of Indigenous people in Canada and around the world and to begin to chart a path of Reconciliation. We will embrace this critical and complex call, striving to create a strong and safe sense of belonging for all Indigenous people to discover and unlock their gifts.
Attend an Event
June 1 - 30 | Full Circle, SFU Woodward's Cultural Programs
The 22nd annual Talking Stick Festival, themed “Summer Reverb”, brings together the idea of amplified sound and amplified voices in musical performances, similar to the star and water ripples reverberating outwards. The Talking Stick Festival celebrates diversity and inclusivity, welcoming Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Artists, and promises vibrant entertainment with a vast range of events including: a documentary screening, a theatre performance, a book launch, a Burlesque show and an immersive 4D audio performance.
- Festival Opening Ceremony | June 1 at the Historic Cultch Theatre in Vancouver
- Summer Reverb: Talking Stick Festival Gala | June 9 at SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, Fei and Milton Wong Experimental Theatre
- Summer Sisters Sing: Music Circle | June 23 at SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, World Art Centre
- Re:Frame Re:Name Re:Make Roundtable conversations | June 26-27 at SFU Goldcrop Centre for the Arts, World Art Centre
June 14 | Pride at Work Canada
Through this webinar, gain the knowledge and tools needed to create a more inclusive and respectful workplace culture for 2SLGBTIQA+ Indigenous employees. Our expert presenter will provide valuable insights into the experiences of Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBQTIA+ employees and jobseekers in accessing and retaining affirming employment, and share best practices for hiring and retaining 2SLGBTQIA+ Indigenous talent.
June 14 | Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group and SFU Library
This workshop is intended to open up a discussion about extractive research practices, to share principles and values that can support other ways of approaching scholarly work with Indigenous Peoples and Knowledges, and provide examples of scholars whose work disrupts the status quo in beautifully anti-colonial ways.
June 15 | Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
In this conversation, CCDI brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous voices to reflect on what reconciliation means to them on a personal, organizational, community, and national level and how to best forge a path forward together.
June 17 | SFU Public Square
In recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day, we are thrilled to co-host a celebration of Indigenous literature, art, and creativity. The evening is curated by artist and storyteller Nathan Adler and the Word Vancouver literary festival, and presented in partnership with 312 Main, City of Vancouver, Government of British Columbia, Canada Council for the Arts, Pace Accounting, UBC School of Creative Writing, and SFU Library.
June 20 | SFU Library
Sdahl Ḵ'awaas, Lucy Bell is a Haida Nation-based scholar who upholds traditional knowledge in her graduate studies. Lucy's PhD research on Haida museology is participatory action-based and auto-ethnographic, which are Indigenous ways of doing research. Her research methodology includes honouring Haida values of respect, truth, making it right, humour and joy. Lucy will share her Haida methodology approach.
June 21 | City of Surrey, with sponsorship from SFU Surrey
Hosted by Semiahmoo, Kwantlen and Katzie First Nations, this event is an opportunity to acknowledge and show respect and admiration for Indigenous Peoples past, present and future; to share cultural history; and to share spirit, experiences, stories, song, art and dance with each other and the community.
June 22 | Reel Causes, Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, & SFU’s Vancity Office of Community Engagement
A collection of films curated with the intention of uprooting the ideals and preconceptions placed on young Indigenous people. Through joy, community care, and resilience, we find a beautifully complex new identity that can reshape a narrative most often dominated by racist viewpoints. Come celebrate and revel in nostalgia, suspense, and abstract thinking as we delve into this series.
June 27 | SFU Health Sciences and BC CDC
Gitz Crazyboy, director, writer and actor in Peace Pipeline, discusses his satirical short film about the Enbridge 3 pipeline project. Crazyboy’s “laughtivist” approach to Indigenous resistance and environmental activism (remniscent of Borat) invites the audience to learn while they laugh, to question assumptions, and to explore what more can be done to address actions that have far-reaching impacts on our air, lands and waters, as well as on Indigenous peoples.
Are you ready to test your knowledge of all things Indigenous? Take the annual Ultimate National Indigenous Peoples Month Quiz and you’ll be entered to win a gift card. There are categories for children and adults. The quiz is open until 12:00 PM PST, June 26, 2023.
June 29, 2023
One of the five foundational pillars of the new medical school is Indigenous knowledge systems.... read more
June 26, 2023
A photo essay of a recent trip taken by FCAT and SIAT staff and students to School District 91,... read more
June 13, 2023
To address climate change and global health inequities, a group of SFU researchers recommends an... read more
June 06, 2023
Learn about the design and organization of this newly opened space inside Bennett Library,... read more
June 05, 2023
A Coast Salish artist, weaver, and graduate of the IBL EMBA program, Angela George, has... read more
Learn Something New
- Visit the reconciliation website for a summary of SFU’s commitments and actions to reconciliation report: the Walk this Path with Us Report, the annual progress reports in full, resources, including courses that cover the topic of residential schools and ideas for action individuals can take.
- Read President Joy Johnson’s personal commitment to reconciliation at SFU.
- Browse SFU Library's collection of books and films by and about First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people in Canada
- Check out the in-person displays at Bennett Library (Burnaby) and Fraser Library (Surrey)
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