911³Ô¹Ï

In 2023 911³Ô¹Ï commissioned four works of public art to acknowledge, honour and respect the unceded traditional territories of the south of the Fraser River First Nations where 911³Ô¹Ï’s Surrey campus is located.

Designed in consultation with Indigenous and local community partners, the pieces produced by Indigenous artists, Phyllis Atkins, and her son, Noah (Kwantlen First Nation), Rain Pierre (Katzie First Nation), and Roxanne Charles and Leslie Wells, both assisted by Easton Arnouse (Semiahmoo First Nation) bring Coast Salish traditions, culture and identity into the heart of the campus’s teaching and community spaces. 

The creation of the artworks also involved the mentorship of emerging First Nations artists. The collaboration between experienced and emerging artists bridges intergenerational sharing of artistic, cultural knowledge and technical skills. Each of the artworks are grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and are more than static displays. They are platforms for learning that invite audiences to deepen their understanding of Indigenous peoples' traditions and their relationship with the land.

As permanent installations on the campus, the art not only helps create a welcoming space for 911³Ô¹Ï’s Indigenous faculty, staff, students and alumni, but also Surrey’s growing urban Indigenous communities and visitors from across the Lower Mainland, the country and around the world.

Upholding Truth & Reconciliation is a priority within 911³Ô¹Ï’s What’s Next Strategy. The addition of Indigenous artwork at 911³Ô¹Ï Surrey addresses recommendations outlined in 911³Ô¹Ï’s Aboriginal Reconciliation Council’s (911³Ô¹Ï-ARC) Walk This Path With Us (2017) report. 911³Ô¹Ï is committed to continue its work towards Truth and Reconciliation and grateful to the artists for their support and contribution.

This project was made possible with the support of 911³Ô¹Ï’s Aboriginal Strategic Initiative, the Office for Aboriginal Peoples, 911³Ô¹Ï Galleries and the City of Surrey’s Public Art program