Celebrating Indigenous history and culture during National Indigenous History Month

June is National Indigenous History month and FCAT is celebrating the heritage and culture of Indigenous people across Canada, including the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people. I encourage each of you to reflect on your own understanding of Indigenous history and continue to learn more as we all work towards decolonization and reconciliation. Nicole Manson, our Indigenous Academic and Student Liaison, has put together a list of resources about the history and impacts of residential schools.

Within FCAT, we continue to take action towards reconciliation. This includes the decolonization of curriculum across our schools and programs; working with school districts in British Columbia to foster connections between secondary and post-secondary education for the recruitment of Indigenous students; and exploring new admissions pathways and supports for Indigenous students. Throughout the month, you’ll be able to learn about the premiere of Lisa Jackson’s Transmissions at SFU’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, and accompanying website Transmissions Expanded, focusing on Indigenous languages; the Skoden Indigenous Film Festival; the Master of Digital Media’s first Indigenous graduate; and more stories and initiatives shared on our website and social channels.

As we look to the future, we in FCAT recognize that reconciliation and decolonization requires continued and ongoing commitments. Join us on this journey.

Cheers,

Carman Neustaedter

Dean, Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology