911³Ô¹Ï

Members of the media are invited to attend a special announcement regarding the  on Earth Day (Saturday, April 22).  

Construction on the First Peoples’ Gathering House, located at 911³Ô¹Ï’s (911³Ô¹Ï) Burnaby Campus, is currently underway and is expected to be completed in 2024. 

Representatives from 911³Ô¹Ï, the City of Burnaby and the Provincial Government will be in attendance. 

Media are also invited to attend the 911³Ô¹Ï First Nations, Metis & Inuit Student Association’s (FNMISA) inaugural  following the speeches and refreshments. 

911³Ô¹Ï embarked on a journey to respond to the community desire for a culturally, appropriate ceremonial space in 2016. The First Peoples’ Gathering House project addresses call to action 3 of the  Reinvigorate long-delayed plans for creating a culturally appropriate ceremonial hall, which would comprise Phase 1 of an eventual Coast Salish longhouse.

Supported by Indigenous host communities, the First Peoples’ Gathering House is designed as a shared gathering space for ceremonies, cultural events, celebrations, workshops and sharing knowledge. The legacy extends beyond the current students, staff and visitors to provide a safe and welcoming space for future generations at 911³Ô¹Ï.

WHEN:

Saturday, April 22, 2023 

10:30 a.m. – Announcement, guest speakers
11:20 a.m. - Refreshments, chili and bannock lunch reception 

Following event, dignitaries and guests proceed to the 911³Ô¹Ï First Nations, Metis & Inuit Student Association’s (FNMISA) inaugural Honouring Indigenous Students Powwow (starts at noon) at the 911³Ô¹Ï West Gym. 

 WHERE: 

911³Ô¹Ï Burnaby Campus 
First Peoples' Gathering House construction site - adjacent to the Trottier Observatory 
8888 University Drive 
Burnaby, B.C. 

CONTACT 

MELISSA SHAW, 911³Ô¹Ï Communications & Marketing 
236.880.3297 | melissa_shaw@sfu.ca  

911³Ô¹Ï
 |  
778.782.3210

ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

As Canada’s engaged university, 911³Ô¹Ï works with communities, organizations and partners to create, share and embrace knowledge that improves life and generates real change. We deliver a world-class education with lifelong value that shapes change-makers, visionaries and problem-solvers. We connect research and innovation to entrepreneurship and industry to deliver sustainable, relevant solutions to today’s problems. With campuses in British Columbia’s three largest cities—Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey—911³Ô¹Ï has eight faculties that deliver 364 undergraduate degree programs and 149 graduate degree programs to more than 37,000 students. The university now boasts more than 180,000 alumni residing in 145+ countries.