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National Indigenous Peoples Day 

On June 21st, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓  Langara College honours National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD) and pays heed to the Musqueam Indian Band who stewarded this land, whose unceded territory our campus resides on, and our campus community is indebted to for sharing the knowledge from this space and place. Langara has been bestowed the name, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓, meaning house of teachings, by the Musqueam community. For this year’s celebration of NIPD, Langara is meaningfully contemplating the importance of this name and its responsibility. As snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara is an institution of higher learning, we are privileged to facilitate the moral and practical education alongside students’ individual growth in a good way. This is a commitment Langara makes every effort to fulfill for everyone who is part of the campus community. Through the Strategic Plan and EDI Framework, Indigenization and strengthening community ties with Indigenous partners have been highlighted as core pillars of action and can be seen in the following goals: 

  • Initiate and implement Indigenization strategy based on the recommendations from the Truth and Reciliation Commission
  • Develop and enhance student and employee of Indigenous perspectives through workshops and training opportunities
  • Encourage continued reviews of curriculum designs and course instruction and evaluations that reflect Indigenized and decolonial approaches and principles
  • Strengthen Indigenous student support through the creation of more scholarships, bursaries, and supports 

Only in 2017 was National Indigenous Peoples Day designated by the Canadian government. The histories of the First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples (collectively known as Indigenous peoples) spans many more centuries than the recency of this declaration, back to time immemorial. Their shared teachings of mutual respect, lifelong learning and the importance of community serve as indelible contributions to the development of Canada, as it is known today and, additionally, as role models to follow moving forward. On this day, everyone in Canada should pause, learn from, and reflect on the dynamic cultures and histories of Indigenous peoples in their own individual walk towards the path of reconciliation.

NIPD coincides with the summer solstice, an important event in many Indigenous cultures. snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓  Langara College honours this day by encouraging all members of its campus community to demonstrate their solidarity with this event by learning about and recognizing the cultures, history, diversity, and contributions of the Indigenous peoples in Canada, with emphasis on a local context and immediate connection with the Musqueam First Nation. 

In the spirit of the day, please engage with events and Indigenous groups in your local neighbourhoods, communities and/or municipalities. See below for a list of resources and events to support your learning and engagement with National Indigenous Peoples Day.