SFU engages in Aboriginal youth

In working with SFU Undergrad Alissa Derrick the cultural coordinator of the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, SFU hosted Aboriginal youth enrolled in the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Summer Day Camp Program for a day of fun activities with cultural teachings.

The group of 18 youths ranging in ages 6-12 years old were welcomed to campus with a trip to the Indigenous Student Centre where they met Jenna LaFrance Director of the Indigenous Student Centre and Jennie Blankinship Indigenous Recruitment Coordinator and were given their own SFU Summer Camp T-shirts which they were extremely excited about.

Following introductions off to the Saywell Hall Atrium for a demonstration of Coast Salish singing and Drumming by Russell Wallace our resident Coast Salish singing instructor and accompanied by Klahanie R. Rorick Office Assistant for the Office for Aboriginal Peoples (OAP) a pizza lunch was provided by the OAP.

Off to a scavenger hunt lead by members of the First Nations Student Association Clayton Gray, Staci Anaka, Laura Forsythe and Alissa Derrick the children looked for artifacts and art projects within the AQ. Learning about each pieces significance, the children were also able to exhibit their prior knowledge instilling the importance of knowing your culture.

Even the SFPIRG was able to get involved in the fun providing one of the highlights of the day with a button making activity. The children made buttons claiming their love of diversity, nature and community with the help of Kalamity Hildebrandt SFPIRG Research Coordinator and her team Mark Irvine and Taha. 

They also had a chance to run and play on the SFU track and field. They had so much fun making one of their helpers walk the field and count how many steps from one end to the other.

To wrap up this exciting trip to SFU representatives from New Student Enrolment and Transition awarded each of the children in attendance a to remember their day at SFU.