Building Bridges: FASS’ Journey Toward Indigenous Reconciliation

In the spirit of fostering understanding, respect, and meaningful collaboration, SFU’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences’ Indigenous Relations office held a rich variety of events Spring through Summer 2025. The inaugural Building Bridges series brought facilitators and educators together with faculty and staff to deepen awareness and promote reconciliation within the academic community.

Through the 2025 series, four presentations and workshops were offered:

1. Indigenous Relations
2. An Educator's Journey Through Decolonization
3. Land Acknowledgements
4. Urban Indigenous Reconciliation

All events were in-person with some remote participation options.

FASS has been at the forefront of Indigenous programming since the 1980s. SFU began a Shuswap studies program in 1988, which laid the groundwork for the Indigenous Studies department. After the creation of the Indigenous Relations director role, FASS ran the university’s transition program, known initially as the Aboriginal University Preparation Program (AUPP), from 2018 to 2023. In 2022, FASS re-established the Indigenous Reconciliation Working Group, re-launched the reconciling curriculum grant program, and established the Indigenous Engagement Toolkit.

Offering context and insight into the evolving relationship between Indigenous communities and the institution, the presentation focused on the ongoing impacts of colonialism, acknowledging Indigenous rights, commitment to reconciliation, engagement and consultation, and cultural understanding and respect for Indigenous knowledge and traditions. Michel emphasized the importance of acknowledging the diversity of Indigenous students at SFU.

Faculty members and staff examined their background, beliefs, and experiences to understand the impact on their interactions, perceptions, and roles in various contexts, particularly in teaching, learning, and research.

The session also focused on the future, highlighting initiatives and aspirations that continue to propel the work forward.

Designed for educators who wish to deepen their understanding of reconciliation, gain practical classroom and community engagement tools, and reflect on their roles as facilitators of change, this workshop – exclusively for faculty members – addresses the unique responsibilities and opportunities educators have in reconciliation.

The workshop highlighted how residential schools and other colonial practices affected many Indigenous families and how indigenizing the curriculum is different from decolonizing it.

Emphasizing individual and collective growth, participants engaged in critical reflection, collaborative learning, and strategy building to better integrate reconciliation principles into their teaching, scholarship, and community interactions.

Through interactive sessions, case studies, and guided discussions, participants explored the complexities of reconciliation, examined lived experiences, and confronted the challenges and opportunities inherent in this essential work. The end goal was to empower educators to lead with empathy, integrity, and a commitment to justice.

In Canada, land and territorial acknowledgements became popular after the TRC's "Calls to Action" release in 2015. Acts of recognition and respect, they connect present-day practices with the enduring legacies and rights of Indigenous peoples.

A comprehensive guide to written and oral land acknowledgments, this workshop provided participants with the tools and understanding necessary to compose and deliver authentic and respectful statements that go beyond formality. By fostering a culture of genuine accountability in personal practices, participants were equipped with the knowledge and confidence needed to craft meaningful Indigenous acknowledgements for their meetings, events, and correspondences.

Attendees engaged in hands-on exercises, heard from experienced facilitators about the histories and purposes underlying acknowledgments, and had opportunities to practice crafting their own statements.

It concluded by mentioning resources including the Department of History’s “A Brief Decolonized History of SFU,” and the Department of Psychology’s Indigenous Reconciliation Committee website. As well, Indigenous Relations Director, Tim Michel, announced his commitment to provide additional workshops to units throughout FASS.

Lindsey is a professional whose experience encompasses work with the Haida Nation and past service with the City of Vancouver.

Bringing a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience in navigating the unique challenges and opportunities of reconciliation in urban environments, this event was led through storytelling. Lindsay's stories were the emphasis of the morning, while guest storytellers told their stories in the afternoon.

The workshop gave helpful information on the lives of urban Indigenous people and the problems experienced in cities due to the effects of colonization, including access to education and systemic barriers. It helped participants understand the complexity of these problems, especially for Indigenous people who have mixed heritage and weak ties to their ancestral communities. It was recognized that not all Indigenous people want to be seen as "survivors" or "victims." Participants were inspired to take action, from engaging with local Indigenous communities to rethinking how they support Indigenous students.

This session – open to all FASS faculty and staff – was valuable for those interested in urban planning, public policy, and community development and for anyone seeking to expand their appreciation for the diversity of Indigenous experiences across different settings.