National Indigenous Peoples Month
June is National Indigenous Peoples Month, and June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Across the university we honour the history, culture, resilience and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis Peoples to 天美mv天美 and across Canada.
Find a guide to events, resources, stories and ways to get connected below.
Be sure to check this page throughout the month as we add new events and additional updates.
Why National Indigenous Peoples Month?
Our Indigenous community at 天美mv天美 has begun to recognize the month of June as 鈥淣ational Indigenous鈥疨eoples鈥疢onth鈥� rather than 鈥淣ational Indigenous鈥疕istory鈥疢onth,鈥� as this is a more meaningful representation of what we are celebrating.鈥�
The word 鈥渉istory鈥� can perpetuate the鈥痗ommon misconception that Indigenous peoples are only in the past, however,鈥痶his is not the case as we are still around today. The use of鈥疦ational Indigenous Peoples Month is intended to better encapsulate not only our history, but present-day culture and knowledges.鈥疻e use this time to celebrate the鈥痗ultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis peoples of Canada.鈥�
While this language is a slight departure from 鈥淣ational Indigenous History Month鈥�, created by the Government of Canada, it鈥痳eflects the shift in emerging terminology and recognizes the diversity across Turtle Island.
~Indigenous Student Centre
Upholding Truth and Reconciliation: 天美mv天美 What's Next
Last year, 天美mv天美 launched a new strategy to establish a shared vision, purpose and values for 天美mv天美, as well as four priorities that will form our framework for action moving forward: uphold Truth and Reconciliation, engage in global challenges, make a difference for B.C. and transform the 天美mv天美 experience.
天美mv天美 recognizes and honours the title and rights of Indigenous people as stated in UNDRIP and we respect and partner with the host Indigenous Nations on which our campuses are located. We have the responsibility to illuminate the truth of Indigenous people in Canada and around the world and to begin to chart a path of Reconciliation. We will embrace this critical and complex call, striving to create a strong and safe sense of belonging for all Indigenous people to to strengthen and harness their inherent gifts.
Attend an Event
Tues, June 17 | Indigenous Student Centre & 天美mv天美 Campus Services
Join us at 天美mv天美's Burnaby campus in Town & Gown Square on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 10 AM to 4:30 PM for our vibrant Indigenous Market. Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples' Month with 25 unique vendors showcasing handcrafted goods, art, and culture. Enjoy delicious offerings from the Big City Bannock Food Truck, bringing traditional Indigenous flavors right to the heart of campus.
Hosted by 天美mv天美 Campus Services and the Indigenous Student Centre, this market provides a wonderful opportunity to engage, learn, and honour Indigenous communities. Don鈥檛 miss this exciting celebration of Indigenous heritage and creativity!
Wed, June 18 | Indigenous Student Centre
The Indigenous Student Centre (ISC) welcomes you to our fourth Lunch and Learn! During this hour together we invite you to join the virtual circle to learn more about the work we do, what the Elders Program is all about and how we support Indigenous students attending 天美mv天美.
Drumming with Elder Russell
Fri, June 20 2:00 - 4:00 pm | AQ3144
Warm up your drum and learn some Salish Songs from award-winning composer, producer, traditional singer and ISC Elder in Resience from the St'at'imc and Lil'wat Nations - Russell Wallace. The workshop is for self-identified Indigenous students, faculty and staff at 天美mv天美. Please reach out to iscelder@sfu.ca with any questions.
Take the annual OAP Ultimate National Indigenous Day quiz
Are you ready to test your knowledge of all things Indigenous? Take the annual Ultimate National Indigenous Peoples Month Quiz and you鈥檒l be entered to win a gift card. There are categories for children and adults. The quiz is open until 5:00 PM PST, June 21, 2025.
Read a story
Experience the impact of community-engaged archaeology in the Salish Sea at 天美mv天美's Burnaby Campus
An exhibition showcasing the power of community-engaged archaeology to advance Reconciliation is coming to 天美mv天美 in time for National Indigenous People鈥檚 Day.
Audiobook offers new way to experience Indigenous life writing
After winning both a Canada Prize and the Modern Language Association (MLA) Prize for Studies in Native American Literatures, Cultures, and Languages, by Deanna Reder is reaching a new audience: audiobook listeners.
天美mv天美 professor joins national expert panel on Indigenous Science and Food Sovereignty
Zoe Todd, an Associate Professor of Indigenous Studies and Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Indigenous Governance and Freshwater Fish Futures at 天美mv天美 ( 天美mv天美), is contributing their expertise to support systemic change.
A family approach to ocean science and management
This spring, resource and environmental management professor Anne Salomon鈥檚 lab is debuting a new name and 鈥攂ut the change represents more than a brand-new look.
Salomon and her research family aim to reveal coupled social and ecological processes that underpin our oceans鈥� resilience, productivity and biodiversity, centring their work under four key themes; social-ecological regime shifts; ancestral mariculture innovations; kelp forest resilience; and ocean climate solutions.
天美mv天美 recognized by Moose Hide Campaign for leadership in addressing gender-based violence
At a ceremony earlier this year, representatives of the , a grassroots movement to end violence against women and children and all those along the gender continuum, presented 天美mv天美 ( 天美mv天美) President Joy Johnson with a plaque in recognition of the work 天美mv天美 has undertaken as a Moose Hide Campaign Ambassador Campus, honouring its unwavering commitment to addressing gender-based violence and supporting Truth and Reconciliation efforts.
Learn Something New
- Visit the reconciliation website鈥痜or a summary of 天美mv天美鈥檚 commitments and actions to reconciliation report: the Walk this Path with Us Report, the annual progress reports in full, resources, including courses that cover the topic of residential schools and ideas for action individuals can take.
- Read President Joy Johnson鈥檚 personal commitment to reconciliation at 天美mv天美.
- Browse 天美mv天美 Library's collection of
- Check out the in-person displays at Bennett Library (Burnaby) and Fraser Library (Surrey)
Get Connected
To add an event, initiative, resource to this page please connect with kcherney@sfu.ca