UBC First Nations Longhouse

Vancouver Chamber Choir set to premiere T. Patrick Carrabré's Histoires des Métis in Longhouse concert — Stir Through seven movements, the composition tells stories in a way that feels familiar to the Métis composer, conductor, and UBC music prof

When: Saturday, June 8, 2024, 7:30pm
Where: Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall, First Nations Longhouse
Purchase tickets today: https://vancouverchamberchoir.vbotickets.com/eventdate/Stories_of_the_Land/375693

Vancouver Chamber Choir's Stories of the Land spotlights Indigenous composers, June 8 — Stir World premieres by Andrew Balfour and T. Patrick Carrabré will be performed at UBC’s First Nations Longhouse

Today is National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S) in Canada, also known as Red Dress Day. The day builds awareness to this ongoing crisis and honours the thousands of victims and their impacted families.

What can you do? Wear red today, inform yourself about MMIWG2S, and participate in events to commemorate this day.

Last year, the First Nations House of Learning celebrated the First Nations Longhouse’s 30th anniversary.

As part of our celebration, we recognized the Longhouse’s founder, the small-in-stature but mighty-in-heart Dr. Verna Kirkness, who at the time, along with others, recognized that Indigenous students needed to be supported as they navigated their educational journey at UBC. In response, she organized the development and oversaw the building of our award-winning facility, where important Indigenous student services are provided. We also recognized each past FNHL Director who followed her: Drs Jo-ann Archibald, Richard Vedan, Linc Kesler, and Margaret Moss. Their advocacy and advice over the years keenly informed the University’s Indigenous engagement commitments, including in the ways of Indigenous nations and people that proved vital leading up to the development of UBC’s current Indigenous Strategic Plan.

Today, the First Nations House of Learning continues to implement its mandate, which is to make the University’s vast resources more accessible to Indigenous people and to improve its ability to meet their needs. This is why FNHL staff work hard to support Indigenous youth, students, and community engagement on campus and beyond.

Please consider donating to the First Nations House of Learning’s programming, which supports Indigenous students on their journey toward graduation.

https://indigenous.ubc.ca/longhouse/fnhl/

Join The Institute for Critical Indigenous Studies for the 5th John P. Bell Global Indigenous Rights Lecture, featuring Dr. Kyle Whyte, George Willis Pack Professor, University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor, and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Michigan.

When: Thursday, February 29, 5:30-7:30pm
Where: Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall, First Nations Longhouse
Register today: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/john-p-bell-global-indigenous-rights-lecture-presents-dr-kyle-whyte-tickets-819134050997

Join us February 29 for the 5th Annual John P. Bell Global Indigenous Rights Lecture. This year's lecture will be given by professor of Environment and Sustainability, Diversity, and Social Transformation Dr. Kyle Whyte from the University of Michigan. Dr. Whyte is a Citizen of Potawatomi Nation. This years lecture will take place at the First Nations Longhouse at 5:30 PM. We can't wait to see you there!

February 12–16 is Climate Emergency Week at UBC, which seeks to convene and energize communities of climate action at UBC. This week is an opportunity to take collective action for justice, people, and our planet.

Visit the Climate Emergency Week page for additional details and the complete list of events, workshops, and activities.

Climate Emergency Week | Climate Emergency Climate Emergency week at UBC seeks to convene and energize communities of climate action at UBC. Join our events, workshops and activities, and take collective action for justice, people, and our planet.  UBC declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and produced a report in 2021 that focuses on clima...

Interested in working at the Longhouse?

If you are a student who has self-identified to UBC as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit, we invite you to consider applying for a Work Learn position as a Longhouse Host.

Longhouse Hosts are friendly ambassadors of the Longhouse, playing an important role in the operations of the First Nations House of Learning. They are responsible for greeting visitors, supporting programming and activities, and are integral to assisting the Longhouse Building Manager and other staff in providing a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment for Indigenous students, Longhouse stakeholders, and Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall users.

To learn more, connect with Christine Wasiak, Longhouse Building Manager, at [email protected]. Positions start immediately, and will remain open until filled.

Wage: $19.13/hour
Hours: 10 hours (max)/week
Positions available: 3
Position end date: April 30, 2024

TRANSIT ALERT: Due to possible strike action, a shutdown of bus and Seabus service across the Metro Vancouver region may begin at 3 a.m. Monday, Jan. 22.
Read more about potential impacts at UBC Vancouver: www.ubc.ca

This week at the longhouse!

Wishing everyone a happy new year as we welcome you back to the Longhouse.

December 6, 1989 marks the day an armed man walked into an engineering class at I'école Polytechnique de Montréal and killed 14 women and injured 10 more. This act of violent misogyny led Parliament to designate December 6 as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

The First Nations House of Learning wishes to acknowledge the 14 Not Forgotten, and stands in solidarity with today's day of remembrance and action.

Join us at the First Nation Longhouse to celebrate Indigenous art and craftspersonship. Open to the wider UBC community.

In response to recent concerns regarding Buffy Sainte-Marie and her claimed Indigenous identity, the First Nations House of Learning leadership has issued a statement on behalf of the University.

Follow the link to go to the statement: https://indigenous.ubc.ca/2023/11/08/statement-from-ubc-first-nations-house-of-learning-leadership/

November 16 is a day to commemorate the life and work of Louis Riel, a revered leader of the Métis Nation who fought to preserve Métis rights and culture in the face of growing colonial power.

The Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre, with support from the First Nations House of Learning and Xwi7xwa Library, invites everyone to celebrate Louis Riel Day and learn about Métis culture in music and dance with V'Ni Dansi. Bannock, tea, and coffee will be served.

The First Nations House of Learning recognizes November 8 as National Indigenous Veterans Day — a day to honour the bravery and dedication of Indigenous Veterans.

Learn more: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/people-and-stories/indigenous-veterans

The First Nations House of Learning acknowledges November 1 as Musqueam Day — a day to celebrate the strength and determination of Musqueam ancestors, who sought justice and the protection of their inherent rights. The day recognizes the landmark 1984 Supreme Court of Canada Guerin decision, lead by Musqueam’s then chief, Delbert Guerin.

Learn more about Musqueam Day and the Guerin case: https://www.musqueam.bc.ca/guerin-decision/

Indigenous students, here's your chance to shape Longhouse events, services, and programming.

Take a quick (~5 min) survey and earn the chance to win a $100 gift card for your efforts: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ehzTOJaj8dU2riK

Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Indigenous Graduate Initiatives is hosting a full day event featuring workshops, application support, and resources for Indigenous students exploring graduate school at UBC. Current Indigenous students, staff, and faculty will answer questions, provide application advice, and talk about the graduate school student experience. Contact Rebecca, [email protected] to set up an information table, host an information session, volunteer, or for the full event schedule.

When: Friday, October 27, 9am-4pm
Where: Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall, First Nations Longhouse

All Indigenous students, staff, and faculty, along with their families, are invited to a family-friendly Halloween gathering at the Longhouse. Featuring snacks, crafts, and face-painting, join the fun at Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall and wear your spookiest costume! Hosted by Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Indigenous Student Initiatives.

When: Monday, October 23, 3-6pm
Where: Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall, First Nations Longhouse

TOMORROW: Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Indigenous Graduate Initiatives would like to invite Indigenous students, faculty, and staff to a lunch with Leela Viswanathan, author of The Deliberate Doctorate: A Values-Focused Journey to Your PhD. Have an informal conversation over lunch, and talk about making the most of your journey as a graduate student while maintaining self-care and balance in the many facets of life.

When: Friday, October 20, 12-2pm
Where: Room 200, Thea Koerner House

Indigenous Staff, Faculty and Students are invited to come together on October 11th from 12:30- 2:00 PM for informal conversations, community building and healing as we navigate the ongoing journey of truth, reconciliation, and redress in our communities.

Full event details: https://ow.ly/Ast450PPX84

Come together tomorrow at the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre as we unite for an Intergenerational March to Commemorate Orange Shirt Day: https://apsc.ubc.ca/event/2023/intergenerational-march-to-commemorate-orange-shirt-day?utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=toolkit

TOMORROW: On Saturday, September 30th, join us for an intergenerational march to commemorate Orange Shirt Day. Members of the UBC community, families and those in solidarity are welcome to participate. The march is intergenerational, and aims to be educational and supportive to the Indigenous community on campus and beyond. Educational activities will allow younger participants to connect with the original inhabitants of the land and plant a seed to continue these conversations of a difficult era in Canadian history at home.

This event is led by UBC Applied Science and Land and Food Systems. There are no fees or registration required. Detailed schedule and more information available on IRSHDC's Orange Shirt Day Hub here: https://apsc.ubc.ca/event/2023/intergenerational-march-to-commemorate-orange-shirt-day

TOMORROW: Orange Shirt Day, September 30, is a day to honour and uphold Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors of the Indian Residential School system, and to commemorate those who didn’t return home.

Explore the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre hub page to access information about events, educational resources, and wellness support initiatives available at UBC: https://irshdc.ubc.ca/orange-shirt-day/

Commemorate Orange Shirt Day and learn about the Indian Residential School system. Find events, information and wellness resources at : https://bit.ly/3TV1UCh

Artwork by xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) artist təlnaq̓ə, Alec Guerin.

If you could speak to the future UBC Indigenous community, what would you say?

The First Nations House of Learning is creating a time capsule to celebrate the Longhouse and Xwi7xwa Library's 30th anniversary. It will be opened in 2053. Indigenous students, staff and faculty are invited to submit an item that, ideally, will be personally meaningful, culturally significant, and/or reflective of the Longhouse, Xwi7xwa Library, or the UBC Indigenous community today.

Learn more about this initiative here: https://indigenous.ubc.ca/longhouse/30th-anniversary-celebration/longhouse-xwi7xwa-library-2053-time-capsule/

Register today: https://bit.ly/460sHCQ

Folil Trafün (Joining Roots) Festival | UBC Forestry Folil Trafün (Joining Roots) is a showcase of Indigenous and Afro-diaspora films from Latin America (with English subtitles), followed by dialogues to deepen understanding of the films and their relationship with local realities.

Meet Karlene Harvey. Beyond being an Academic Advisor for Arts Indigenous Student Advising UBC, they are a passionate illustrator who recently collaborated with Phyllis Webstad on the Every Child Matters picture book. Learn more about Karlene's takeaways through their journey as an artist: https://ow.ly/lUjr50PMTN9

Orange Shirt Society
University of British Columbia

Register today:
https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_038XqHueFamNcdo

We Welcome The Children Back Home: The Burden of Sorrow and Survival of the Indian Residential School Experience in Canada - Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Join us virtually on Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 from 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm (PST). This Indigenous Speaker Series session brings together a panel of survivors of the Indian Residential School experience in Canada. We will welcome and honor these brave and resilient survivors to lead us in a discu...

UBC F/T Job Opportunity: Research and Reference Archivist. Deadline: Wed, August 30th.

JD: https://ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/ubcstaffjobs/job/Research-and-Reference-Archivist_JR13906-1

The Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre at UBC is hiring for another full time position!🎉

Click the link below to find the job posting on our website:
▶ Research and Reference Archivist (Apply by: August 30, 2023 @ 11:59pm).
https://irshdc.ubc.ca/about/work-at-the-centre/

Are you an Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit, or Métis student at UBC in Fall 2023?

Are you interested in working at the First Nations Longhouse? Have you considered applying to be a First Nations Longhouse Host to assist with events and support our teaching and learning spaces in the Longhouse?

We are looking for you!

We have four student Work Learn positions available that run from September 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024.

Wage: $19.13/hour
Maximum hours of work available per week: 10 hours

Connect with Christine Wasiak, Building Manager, for the full job description and more details: [email protected]

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Thanks UBC Media Relations for shining a spotlight on this milestone year!

First Nations Longhouse at UBC celebrates 30 years Since 1993, the First Nation Longhouse has supported the Indigenous community at UBC as a ‘home away from home’ for Indigenous students.