National Indigenous Peoples Day
Langara has been bestowed the name, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓, meaning house of teachings, and our new brand recognizes that we are at xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam). Meaningfully contemplating the importance of this name and our responsibility to the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm our campuses reside on, is one of many ways the Langara community can show respect on National Indigenous Peoples Day. As Langara is an institution of higher learning, we are privileged to facilitate 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 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reciliation Commission
- Develop and enhance student and employee competencies 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
Many of these initiatives and learnings are outlined within National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Learning Resource under the “Space and Place” and “Reconciliation & Growth” tabs. We encourage you to engage with the Resource if you haven’t done so already.
Only in 1996 was National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD) designated officially by the Canadian government. The histories of the First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples (collectively known as Indigenous peoples) span 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 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. June is also National Indigenous History Month. Langara College honours these two occasions by hosting its Indigenous Graduation Celebration during this meaningful time of year. snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ honours these students with the highest praise. They are a testament of their own brilliance, their ancestors' excellence, and Indigenous exceptionalism.
We also encourage all members of the campus community to demonstrate their solidarity 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 xʷməθkʷəy̓əm. xʷməθkʷəy̓əm's history, culture, and stewardship of this land from time immemorial to today is exhibited in c̓əsnaʔəm: The City before the City at the Museum of Vancouver. In the spirit of the day, please consider visiting the Museum and engaging with events and Indigenous groups in your local neighbourhoods, communities and/or municipalities, see below for a list of recommendations:
- Indigenous BC – Things to Do
- National Indigenous History Month Learning Materials and Resources from the VPL
- National Indigenous Heritage Month Events in Vancouver, Surrey, and Burnaby
- Our Stories to Tell Series at the Cinematheque