Musqueam Day (November 1) honours the strength and resilience of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people and the 1984 case of Guerin v. The Queen, a landmark victory that reshaped Indigenous land rights in Canada. Elder Gail Sparrow reflects on the community’s fight for justice and its lasting global impact.
Musqueam Day is celebrated every November 1 to honour the strength and resilience of šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmaɁɬ təməxʷ (Musqueam Indian Band) ancestors in their pursuit of justice and rights protection. This day also commemorates the 1984 Supreme Court ruling in Guerin v. The Queen, a case that established a legal obligation for the Canadian government to act in the best interest of Indigenous peoples in land transactions. Championed by then Musqueam Chief Delbert Guerin, and community leaders Joseph Becker, Eddie Campbell, Mary Charles, Gertrude Guerin, and Gail Sparrow, this landmark case has had lasting impact on Indigenous rights and the Musqueam Administration observes the day as a statutory holiday.
Langara College is honoured to have a long-standing relationship with Musqueam, on whose unceded traditional and present-day territories the College is located. Guided by Elder Gail Sparrow and other Musqueam leaders, Langara continues to learn from Musqueam culture, governance, and teachings — ensuring that reconciliation and respect for the land remain central to its identity as snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ (“house of teachings”).
“Our relationship with Musqueam is foundational to who we are as an institution,” says Dr. Paula Burns, President and CEO of Langara College. “We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from Musqueam Elders and community members as we continue to grow as snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ — the house of teachings.”
Elder Gail Sparrow, special advisor to Langara College’s president, likens the Guerin case to the story of David and Goliath, a triumph against great odds. “The little guy was able to conquer the big guy, and we were a small little band at the time.”
She continues, "In 1957, my father and the Elders realized we were living in poverty. We had land, but we didn't get a return from it. So, when the offer came to lease our land to Shaughnessy [golf club], they went for it so we can live a better life. An Elder told me, ‘We're giving this up for all you young kids here.’”
As a member of Musqueam’s council committee, Elder Sparrow contributed directly to the team that sued the government. “It means a lot to me because my father was the one who discovered [the Band] wasn’t receiving our lease payments. When my father passed, Delbert Guerin became Chief and took over the case. He took on doing the research and worked hard, putting in long hours with the council to build our case.”
She adds that she believes it was the testimony of Elders like her grandfather, Chief Edward Sparrow, who witnessed the deal being struck that won the case. “First Nations are very, very good about oral history and remembering. My grandfather was the main witness and his oral knowledge proved the government had breached our trust.”
The Guerin ruling transformed Canadian law, marking a significant victory for all Indigenous Peoples nationwide, emphasizing the need for the government to uphold its commitments to the country's original inhabitants. It established that the government has a legal duty to act in the best interest of Indigenous Peoples in land transactions, opening the door for other Indigenous groups in Canada to pursue similar land claims.
The impact is now resonating globally. Elder Gail Sparrow played a pivotal role in organizing an enriching Indigenous exchange between a delegation of Musqueam and Langara community members with Ngāpuhi Māori tribe members in Aotearoa (New Zealand). “Indigenous groups there could look at our land cases because they're fighting the same thing,” she explains. Langara’s delegation visiting Aotearoa included representatives from Musqueam, and Langara students, faculty, and President and CEO, Dr. Paula Burns.
Langara’s relationship with Musqueam continues to guide its path toward reconciliation. The College remains committed to honouring Indigenous knowledge, supporting learners, and ensuring Musqueam voices are reflected in all that it does.
Elder Gail Sparrow is a former Chief of the Musqueam Indian Band. An alumna of Langara, she currently acts as special advisor to the president at the College, helping to provide a supportive environment for Indigenous students. She was previously the College’s Elder-in-residence and played a key role in strengthening the connection between Musqueam and the College, educating the Langara community on the history, culture, and teachings of Musqueam and the land on which the College is located. Elder Sparrow was also instrumental in Langara receiving its Musqueam name, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓, which means house of teachings. In 2019, she was named a 49 Langaran, one of 49 remarkable people celebrated by the College as part of its Beyond 49 anniversary campaign.
