On behalf of Musqueam, congratulations to all the 2024 graduates, including our growing number of Indigenous students who cross the platform in these ceremonies. Your accomplishment reflects your hard work and talent, and we hope that you continue to contribute to snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓, your communities, and society after graduation. We wish you every success for your future.
snəw̓eyəɬ
Our lands have long been places of learning, and Langara is situated on our unceded, ancestral, and traditional territory on what was once a Musqueam village. We have honoured that connection by gifting the College a name in our language, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓, which means “house of teachings.” The word snəw̓eyəɬ references the advice given to a child to build their character and to guide them into adulthood.
We trust that your time at snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ has helped to do just that, and prepared you all for successful futures.
Connection
Our connection with snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ is reflected in the convocation ceremonies in a variety of ways. A Musqueam drummer opens convocation leading the procession; the president's regalia is adorned with musqueam art; and the river grass at the base of the College’s coat of arms, printed on every diploma and certificate and displayed at convocation, refers to Musqueam, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, which means “people of the river grass.”
We value our continued partnership with snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ and the opportunity to share a small part of our culture with you.