Langara College is enhancing its support for Indigenous students through the newly renamed Indigenous Engagement and Initiatives department and Indigenous Gathering Place, fostering a sense of community and inclusivity. As Langara observes National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the department aims to raise awareness of Indigenous issues while honouring survivors and their families.
Langara College is committed to supporting its diverse student body, which includes more than 200 Indigenous students from across Canada. As part of its ongoing Indigenization journey, Langara has renamed its Indigenous Education Services department to Indigenous Engagement and Initiatives (IEI) and the Indigenous Gathering Space to the Indigenous Gathering Place.
These changes reflect a deeper commitment to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for Indigenous learners, focused on community building, cultural connection, and academic success.
Executive Director Graeme Joseph explains that the name change reflects a broader vision for Indigenous student support at Langara. "Changing to Indigenous Engagement and Initiatives better reflects the developments in Indigenous higher education." This shift underscores the importance of relationships, collaboration and cultural integrity, which are key pillars of Langara’s approach to Indigenous education.
Another significant change is the renaming of the Indigenous Gathering Space to the Indigenous Gathering Place. Joseph notes, "Gathering Place is well known terminology in Indigenous communities. They know the language, they know what to call it."
The space is designed to foster a sense of belonging, particularly for first-generation students navigating post-secondary life. The Indigenous Gathering Place serves as a "safe, welcoming, and protected space for Indigenous students, staff, and faculty." It also serves as a resource hub, where Indigenous student support specialists provide "basic advice and guidance" to help learners succeed throughout their academic journey.
Having safe, supportive, and culturally appropriate spaces like the Gathering Place helped me feel at home while working towards my educational goals at Langara College. I was consistently reaching out to members of the Gathering Place team for both personal and educational support.
– Cecelia Simeon, Bachelor of Nursing ‘25
Beyond the Gathering Place, Joseph's team works closely with various departments across the College. "We work with our colleagues in faculties and student services to offer supports and services throughout the year," explains Joseph. This cross-departmental collaboration ensures that Indigenous students receive support in every aspect of college life, both inside and outside the classroom, making Langara a strong choice for Indigenous students pursuing higher education.
As Langara honours National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR), Joseph emphasizes the importance of educating the community. He states, "Our intentions are to create awareness within our campus community about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the impact of Indian residential schools on First Nations peoples in Canada." Langara’s week-long NDTR activities not only raise awareness but also honour survivors and their families, advancing meaningful reconciliation on campus.
Joseph's vision for the future of the IEI department includes strengthening partnerships with the Musqueam and Indigenous communities and implementing the Musqueam Memorandum of Agreement. He sees partnership and collaboration as the key to this work. These initiatives will deepen support for Indigenous students and enhance Langara’s role in reconciliation.
Reflecting on the role of the Indigenous Gathering Place, Joseph affirms: "If a school wants to create community to recruit and retain Indigenous students–and to improve the overall quality of the student experience–there must be an Indigenous space on campus."
This central hub not only enriches the Indigenous student experience but also fosters a vibrant community among staff and faculty, contributing to long-term Indigenous academic success.
As Langara College continues its Indigenization journey, Graeme Joseph and the IEI team are dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where Indigenous students feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Learn more about the Indigenous Engagement and Initiatives department and the work it does to support and enrich the educational journeys of Indigenous students.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation takes place annually on September 30. In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission–established as part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement–presented an overview of its findings in a final report, including 94 Calls to Action. Read the report and learn more about the calls to action.
