The mission of INLP and our Community Academic Outreach programs is the collective and individual empowerment of Indigenous peoples through education, taking into account First Nations' own knowledge systems, histories, ways of being and learning. The INLP motto is “Help yourself and help one another.”

Aware of the powerful role that Indigenous languages and language revitalization play for the present and future identity, well-being and wholeness of Indigenous peoples and communities, the Indigenous Languages Program works with speech communities and organizations to enable Indigenous language learning off campus in First Nations communities. Since 1993 and in partnership with Indigenous organizations, we have offered courses in some 18 languages in British Columbia and Yukon.

The Indigenous Languages Program (INLP) is a continuation of the award-winning SFU Kamloops Program, where the Indigenous Studies programs, Indigenous language proficiency programs and language courses were originally developed and offered. Between 1988 and 2011, more than 400 students graduated from the SFU Kamloops Program with SFU credentials, including Certificates, Diplomas, BA, BGS and BEd degrees. Through Community Academic Outreach Programming (FNEP), students completed Major and Minor programs in concentrations such as Anthropology and Sociology, Linguistics, Indigenous Studies, and Archaeology. 

Students of INLP have access to resources and services provided by Simon Fraser University.
More details here. 

Resources and further information

As a student of INLP, you are also a student of SFU and therefore entitled to resources and services made available by the university. Do not hesitate to reach out to SFU staff and administration for any help that you may need, whether via phone conversation, Zoom call, or email. 

• Financial aid for Indigenous students: SFU offers a variety of financial assistance opportunities to Canadian Indigenous students (including First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples).
• Indigenous University Preparation Pathway (IUPP): Helping Indigenous learners prepare and transition to undergraduate studies at SFU. 
• FASS Advising and Resources: Available via Zoom and email advising. Getting advice early on will have a positive impact on your studies. 
• Career Services: Staff at Career Services are available by email, telephone and video call to answer all of your career-related questions and provide guidance on your academic and career journey. 
• Office for Indigenous Peoples (OIP): Providing information and access to the various contacts, services and programs available from SFU.
• Indigenous Student Centre (ISC): Whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student or just getting started on your academic journey, there are options available to support both your passions and academic goals. 
• First Nations, Métis & Inuit Student Association (FNMISA): Advocating for services and resources necessary for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students to succeed.
• Indigenous Curriculum Resource Centre (ICRC): The ICRC collects books, articles, websites, and audio-visual materials on Indigenizing curriculum and Indigenous pedagogy. 
• Indigenous Initiatives Librarian: Many of the SFU Library resources are available online. 
• ISC Honouring Feast: The ISC Honouring Feast is a special event held bi-annually to honour and celebrate Indigenous students in their degree completion at SFU. 
• 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 Métis Peoples to SFU and across Canada.
• Orange Shirt Day: Orange Shirt Day commemorates the residential 'school' atrocities and honours the healing journeys of the survivors, their families and their communities.
• Statements by INLP and LING on the investigation into unmarked graves of children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School: Read the statements here. 
• May 5th is the annual National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). On this day each year we remember the people who have lost their lives to colonial, gender-based violence, and their families and communities that live daily with the grief of losing loved ones. 

Convocation

• The next Convocation Ceremony will take place in June 2026 at Convocation Mall: 8888 University Dr W, Burnaby (see this map).
• See the INLP & FNEP Graduation webpage for information on how to prepare to graduate and how to ensure that you have all of the necessary credits and paperwork completed. 
• INLP has prepared a Convocation Info Sheet that summarizes much of info that you will find on the SFU Convocation website. 
• Graduation Checklist
• Honouring Feast - Indigenous Student Centre
• Instructions to Mandatory Steps to complete for Ceremony registration and attendance (scroll to mid-page)
• Guest tickets
• Accessibility
• Bag Policy
  • Purse or belt bag no larger than 6.5” x 8.5”
  • Clear plastic bag (such as a freezer bag) no larger than 12” x 12” x 6”
  • Note: A complimentary bag check service will be available near the entrances at the back of Convocation Mall