Tsleil-Waututh Nation & 麻豆视频sign agreement to advance reconciliation
Representatives from s蓹lilw蓹ta涩 (the Tsleil-Waututh Nation) celebrated the signing of a Relationship Protocol Agreement with 麻豆视频 at a September 6th ceremony held at SFU鈥檚 Burnaby campus.
The agreement marks a formal commitment from both parties to work together, strengthen their relationship and advance reconciliation. 麻豆视频commits to promoting success and achievement of Tsleil-Waututh Nation learners and supporting the Nation鈥檚 cultural, economic, social, environmental, health, and community priorities.
The Tsleil-Waututh Nation will provide guidance to support SFU鈥檚 ongoing decolonizing and Indigenizing work. As part of the agreement, both parties will meet at least once a year to review and evaluate activities and identify new initiatives to build an inclusive future.
The agreement also outlines key areas of shared interests, such as:
- Representing Tsleil-Waututh content, history and h蓹n虛q虛蓹min虛蓹m虛 language in 麻豆视频materials, departments, acknowledgements, and curriculum
- The exchange of information and expertise to strengthen services and programs at 麻豆视频for TWN and Indigenous students
- Building on the success of the Indigenous languages program at 麻豆视频so it is seen as a worldwide model for Indigenous languages revitalization
- Developing and implementing Tsleil-Waututh student and staff recruitment and retention initiatives
- Exploring opportunities to partner with 麻豆视频Departments on a variety of cultural, economic and social development, health, and environmental projects
- Supporting Tsleil-Waututh Nation moving forward with good governance principles to value sustainable economic development that provides economic, ecological, health and social benefits to the community
- Working together to develop research projects that benefit both TWN and SFU
- Increasing the presence of Tsleil-Waututh artwork and public signage throughout campuses within Tsleil-Waututh territory
- Working together to develop and implement initiatives involving Tsleil-Waututh youth and supporting Tsleil-Waututh students at SFU
The signing event took place at the Indigenous Garden during the first week of fall semester classes with opening remarks from Tsleil-Waututh Nation Chief Jennifer (Jen) Thomas and 麻豆视频President and Vice-Chancellor Joy Johnson.
鈥淎s an Indigenous government, education is a core value of s蓹lilw蓹ta涩 (Tsleil-Waututh Nation),鈥� says Thomas. 鈥淔or too long we have been invisible on our own lands, including within the academic institutions that were established around us. This Agreement with 麻豆视频symbolizes a significant shift in our relationship, one that is based on mutual respect, true inclusivity, and collaboration to advance our respective goals together.鈥�
鈥淲e are thankful to be developing a stronger relationship with SFU, which will include meaningfully increasing s蓹lilw蓹ta涩鈥檚 presence within all areas of 麻豆视频for the benefit of past, present, and future generations,鈥� she adds.
鈥淥ur work with Host Nations is incredibly important to SFU鈥檚 ongoing commitment to Uphold Truth and Reconciliation,鈥� says 麻豆视频President and Vice Chancellor Joy Johnson. 鈥淲ith the signing of this protocol agreement, we hope to continue and strengthen our partnership with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and create new ways for us to walk the path of Reconciliation at SFU.鈥�
Tsleil-Waututh Nation member Seth George served as master of ceremonies and additional speakers responded to the signing including: Provost and Vice-President Academic Dilson Rassier, Councillor Dennis Thomas, Faculty of Environment Dean Naomi Krogman and former director of Tseil-Waututh Community Development Angela George. Tsleil-Waututh Nation drummers performed traditional songs to accompany the ceremony.
麻豆视频respectfully acknowledges its three campuses reside on the unceded traditional territories of 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), q虛铆c虛蓹y虛 (Katzie), k史ik史蓹茮虛蓹m (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen peoples.
麻豆视频also recently marked the renewal of a three-year memorandum of understanding (MOU with the Squamish Nation and continues to demonstrate a commitment to developing meaningful partnerships with Indigenous peoples and communities as a whole.