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First Peoples' Gathering House to Light Ceremonial Fireplace
The fire is already burning,
the aroma of the food cooking fills the room,
the sound of the drum reverberating softly,
the crackle of the fire,
SÃma7 tÌ“u7, sÃma7 tÌ“u7, sawÌ“t, he says, we walk in
- First Voices: SÃma7 tÌ“u7, sÃma7 tÌ“u7, sawÌ“t (Northern St̓átÌ“imcets) meaning come in, come in, welcome one
In September, SFU opened the doors to the First Peoples’ Gathering House (FPGH), a gathering place where Indigenous students, faculty and staff can come together to practice, learn and share in their cultural traditions.
Starting later this week, you might begin to smell woodsmoke in the air as the FPGH team lights the ceremonial wood-burning fireplace for the first time.
The purpose-built ceremonial fireplace is located in the Great Hall, and enables a sacred cultural practice that represents life, spirit, transformation and connection between people, the natural world and the spirit world.
On Thursday, November 20th, the FPGH team and Elders from the Host Nations will conduct a private fireplace lighting ceremony in collaboration with Burnaby Fire Department’s Station 8, SFU Facilities Services and Safety and Risk Services. The ceremony ensures the first fire aligns with cultural practices while respecting safety protocols and modern requirements.
The intended uses of the fireplace include connecting to ancestors and spirit, purification and healing, marking important times, prayer and offering and creating a circle of safety and unity for community and teaching spaces.
The First Peoples’ Gathering House was built with modern fire safety systems and has strict protocols in place to ensure safe use of the fireplace.
Going forward, the FPGH team expects fires about three times a month, with fewer in the summertime.
So if you happen to catch the aroma of woodsmoke in the air while attending Burnaby campus, just know that an important gathering is underway as SFU continues its commitment to Uphold Truth and Reconciliation.