One of the underlying principles of SFU’s vision as an engaged university is "Respect for Aboriginal Peoples and Cultures."

It's heartening, then, to see the headway that the university community is making in developing new Aboriginal programs and initiatives.   

Recent highlights include:

• Formation of an Indigenous Research Institute that has already helped to deliver a series of events, including an Idle No More teach-in; Residential School Education Week; and lunch-time presentations on Indigenous research.  Already 54 members strong, the institute is committed to connecting and promoting research and engagement on Indigenous issues at SFU;

• Creation of a First Nations Studies program in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; an Office of Indigenous Education in the Faculty of Education; Canada’s first Aboriginal Executive MBA in the Beedie School of Business; and relocation to SFU of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Aboriginal People’s Health;

• Implementation of numerous initiatives to increase Aboriginal student representation and support at SFU, including adoption of a new Aboriginal admissions policy; creation of Aboriginal bridge programs; new scholarships for Aboriginal Master's and PhD students; and support for Aboriginal graduate students to attend and present at academic conferences;

• Strengthened connections with Aboriginal communities and organizations: SFU’s Aboriginal Steering Committee now benefits from community representation; our Vancouver campus hosts a regular Coast Salish drumming and singing workshop; continuing meetings are held with local First Nations; MOUs have been signed with the Native Education College and the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology; and First Nations leader Wendy Grant-John was recently appointed to SFU’s Board of Governors; and

• The inclusion of First Nations’ recognitions and Elders’ greetings in SFU ceremonies and events.

These are just a few of the many Aboriginal initiatives undertaken recently at SFU and there are more to come.
 
The university's second five-year Aboriginal Strategic Plan [PDF], a collaborative document overseen by William Lindsay, director of the Office of Aboriginal Peoples, is almost complete and ready for implementation.
 
Universities have a huge responsibility to work with and on behalf of Aboriginal Peoples.

Education can play an important role in righting past wrongs by raising public awareness of Aboriginal issues and empowering Aboriginal peoples to address the social and economic challenges they face.
 
As an engaged university, SFU has a special obligation in this regard, and I am proud of the progress that we are already making. 

My thanks goes out to all those inside and beyond the university who are working so hard to help us fulfil our commitments to Aboriginal peoples.