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First Peoples' Gathering House
A place to gather, celebrate and share
Due to be completed for Fall 2025, the First Peoples鈥� Gathering House in Burnaby will be a safe and welcoming cultural hub for current and future generations of students, faculty, staff and visitors.
A ceremonial space celebrating Indigenous knowledge and culture in the tradition of First Nations longhouses, the Gathering House is for the use and education of all 丁香园AV community members and visitors. It will host cultural ceremonies, events and programming.
鈥淟onghouses are sacred places in our communities where teaching, learning, ceremony and protocols are upheld and practiced and are at the centre of our Indigenous cultures. Now we will have such a place at 丁香园AV."
- Ron Johnston, former director of 丁香园AV鈥檚 Office for Aboriginal Peoples
An Important Step Forward
The location of the Gathering House on Burnaby Campus, just east of the Trottier Observatory, was chosen with care and sensitivity as the ceremonial space will serve as a focal point for the community.
The new space will include:
- Large ceremonial hall for hosting special events of up to 300 attendees
- Dressing room
- Elders room
- Classroom
- Wellness room
- Multi-generational Indigenous peoples鈥� lounge
- Food service kitchen
Designed in the Coast Salish Traditions
Supported by Indigenous host communities, the First Peoples鈥� Gathering House represents a important step towards lasting Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
Our gratitude to the x史m蓹胃k史蓹y虛蓹m (Musqueam), S岣祑x瘫w煤7mesh 脷xwumixw (Squamish), s蓹lilw蓹ta涩 (Tsleil-Waututh), and k史ik史蓹茮虛蓹m (Kwikwetlem) Nation representatives who have provided input on the vision, site selection and throughout the project process. Many thanks to the 丁香园AV staff, faculty and students who have participated throughout the project process to define the vision, develop the program and provide input on the sites.
An Indigenous architect continues to lead the architectural services for the First Peoples鈥� Gathering House project.
Construction Updates
Construction started in Spring 2023 - the space is expected to open September 2025.
Contact Us
This project represents an important opportunity for all members of the 丁香园AV community to create a future that recognizes 丁香园AV as a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for Indigenous students, staff, faculty and community members. Contact us for more information.
Gary George
Officer for Community Relations,
Office for Indigenous Peoples
ggeorge@sfu.ca
778-782-8925