Tuesday, September 22, 2026
NDTR Week at Langara College invites reflection and action rooted in relationship with Musqueam through meaningful offerings the community can participate in.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR), marked every September 30, asks Canadians to reflect on the legacy of residential schools and take action regarding the country’s unfinished work toward reconciliation.
As NDTR draws near, Langara College encourages its community to take pause and consider what it means to live, work, and learn on the unceded ancestral lands of Indigenous peoples. The hope, as always, is that the reflections outlast NDTR Week.
Understanding our relationship with Musqueam
Langara is located on the traditional territory of the Musqueam Indian Band. Musqueam gifted the College with its second name, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓, in 2016. It means ‘house of teachings.’ Executive Director of Indigenous Engagement and Initiatives Graeme Joseph describes the relationship as living, ongoing responsibility rather than a one-time act:
“As a Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en, I'm a visitor here on Musqueam territory. The Musqueam people have lived here since time immemorial, almost ten thousand years of history.” For him, what many call “protocol” is how a visitor shows respect and keeps the relationship strong.
For Langara, that means listening and acting in partnership.
A shared responsibility
Joseph says reconciliation is not a ledger that ends when NDTR is over: “Reconciliation almost sounds as though it's a one-and-done deal, but that's not the true nature of the relationship. Our relationship with Musqueam is a forever relationship.”
Langara’s commitment is reflected in shared intentions with the Musqueam community, especially educational opportunities, cross-cultural teaching, and “learning what it is like to live, learn, and study on Musqueam territory in a good way.”
That daily responsibility includes how employees and students show up in learning spaces. Joseph stresses that NDTR provides structured learning while also creating safety for students and community members who may be impacted by difficult truths. “We understand that this a very challenging topic, and we want to create safety when we engage in these conversations, and safety for everybody.” He notes the intention is thoughtful education.
Helping students understand NDTR
Taking place on September 28 and 29, Langara’s 2026 NDTR offerings give students ways to put that education into practice on campus. Events begin on September 28 with a welcome performance by Tsatsu Stalqayu (Coastal Wolfpack) and Education Stations available for two days, allowing students to learn at their own pace. The second day features the Art and Reconciliation Panel featuring Musqueam artists, and the day will wrap with a closing drum dance led by Elder-in-Residence, Nk’xetko.
Joseph explains, “The drum dance is an opportunity to bring everybody together, to end things in a very positive way and again, to build community and connection with one another.” He adds that the conclusion is an intentional reset: “It is a cleansing to bring new energy in and end the week in a good way.”
Joseph describes NDTR learning as “first steps,” where students are invited to take what they learn into everyday life: “I hope students will be thoughtful and reflective on how you're going to bring what you've learned during this week forward and think about how you can practice good reconciliation.”
Explore Langara’s 2026 NDTR events, taking place on September 28 and 29.
If your schedule is tight, the Education Stations are a good asynchronous way to learn when time allows.
