First Peoples' Gathering House

A place to gather, celebrate and share

The First Peoples’ Gathering House on the SFU Burnaby Campus is a gathering place where Indigenous students, staff and faculty can come together to practice, learn and share in their cultural traditions.

As part of SFU’s commitment to Uphold Truth and Reconciliation, the Gathering House is a place where ceremonial events, cultural learning, celebration, workshops and classes will be held for the Indigenous and campus-wide communities.

“Longhouses are sacred places in our communities where teaching, learning, ceremony and protocols are upheld and practiced and are at the centre of our Indigenous cultures. Now we will have such a place at SFU."

- Ron Johnston, former director of SFU’s Office for Aboriginal Peoples

The First Peoples’ Gathering House will support the decolonization and Indigenization of courses and programs, fostering teaching and learning environments that respect diverse Indigenous knowledge systems and world views. It will also help enable professional development opportunities for non-Indigenous faculty and staff, including land-centred learning and teaching that deepens understanding of the traditional territories on which our campuses reside.

Read about the First Peoples' Gathering House

Designed in the Coast Salish Traditions

Supported by Indigenous host communities, the First Peoples’ Gathering House represents a important step towards lasting Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Our gratitude to the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Nation representatives who have provided input on the vision, site selection and throughout the project process. Many thanks to the SFU staff, faculty and students who have participated throughout the project process to define the vision, develop the program and provide input on the sites.

Read more about the design and architecture of the First Peoples' Gathering House in SFU News.

Visiting the Gathering House

Access and Hours of Operation

The Gathering House is open to invited guests during SFU's regular operating hours:

Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Closed on weekends and statutory holidays

Please note that the Gathering House is not open to the general public for walk-ins or general reservations. The buildings and grounds are not to be used or interpreted as an art gallery, museum or interpretive centre.

Location

The First Peoples' Gathering House is located at Simon Fraser University's Burnaby Campus:

8888 University Drive
Burnaby, B.C.

The building is just west of the SFU Transit Exchange, directly across from Strand Hall and beside the Trottier Observatory. On Google Maps, the location is known as Strand Hall Annex.

Contact

Alicia Deasy
Coordinator
First Peoples' Gathering House
fpgh_coordinator@sfu.ca

Use and Care of the Space

Use of the First Peoples' Gathering House

As a welcoming, vibrant cultural and community space, the First Peoples’ Gathering House is a ‘home’ that promotes culture, knowledge sharing and community care. In alignment with the vision and purpose of the First Peoples’ Gathering House, it is a place for Indigenous students and their families, staff, faculty and local Coast Salish Nations to share language, ceremony, teachings and traditions. Offering multi-use, accessible spaces for both spiritual and educational activities, it stands as a vital centre for teaching, learning and connection grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

Who the Gathering House is for:

Indigenous students and their families
Indigenous student groups and organizations
Indigenous faculty, staff and departments
Host Nations and Indigenous community partners
SFU and external partners whose activities align with the Gathering House’s purpose

How the space is meant to be used

"Cultural Home Away From Home" for Indigenous Students: The Gathering House is a supportive home-away-from-home environment and meeting place for First Nations, Metis and Inuit students, promoting belonging, wellness and academic success.
Cultural and Community Hub: The Gathering House serves as a central space where Indigenous students, Indigenous student organizations, Indigenous departments, staff, faculty and others can gather. This includes to practice, learn and share in culture, language, ceremony and community connection.
Inclusive Programming and Events: The First Peoples' Gathering House will host diverse Indigenous cultural events, celebrations, workshops, classes and gatherings that serve both the Indigenous and broader campus community, fostering cross-cultural learning and understanding.
Supportive and Safe Environment: The facility is a safe, welcoming and culturally affirming space for Indigenous students, staff, faculty and members of Host Nations. It will operate in a way that respects and upholds diverse Indigenous values, protocols and knowledge systems.

Multi-Use and Accessible Space: The Gathering House offers a variety of spaces for Indigenous students, faculty, staff and general public, including a Ceremonial Hall, Teaching and Learning Room, multi-generational space and a makers' space. These spaces are available for academic, social, cultural, ceremonial and community purposes.
Academic, Spiritual and Cultural Integration: The facility serves as an academic, sociial, spiritual and cultural hub, including offering space for spiritual care and ceremony, consistent with Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
Teaching and Learning Centre: The Gathering House is a place of learning that embraces and integrates diverse Indigenous pedagogies, worldviews and knowledge systems.
Promotion of Truth & Reconciliation: Use of spaces in the Gathering House that promote, or advance Truth and Reconciliation may be considered, subject to approval. Such uses must reflect respectful engagement and align with the building's intended purpose and not tokenized.

Uses requiring special approval

External (outside of SFU) Community Events: The use of the Gathering House for external community events is limited and subject to approval by the Office of Indigenous Peoples.
Lounge, Study and Social Activities: The Gathering House is an intentional space for learning, cultural, ceremonial and community-centered activities. Students seeking quiet space for studying and working on projects may use spaces in the Gathering House in consultation with the Office of Indigenous Peoples. For students seeking space to relax, gather informally, or socialize, the Indigenous Student Centre is available and designed for this purpose.
Evolution of Limited Use Criteria: The Office for Indigenous Peoples will consult with Elders who support the SFU community, or one of the Local Coast Salish Nations to clarify and determine limited or conditional uses not yet identified.

Uses not permitted

Public Access: The building and grounds are not to be used or interpreted as an art gallery, museum, or interpretive centre. It is not open to the general public for walk-ins or general reservations.
Revenue Generation: The Gathering House is not intended to serve as a source of revenue generation for the University or its programs. Modest fees may be applied to certain bookings to help offset the operational, labour, and service-related costs required to support the stewardship and maintenance of the House. The fee structure aligns with the values of accessibility, respect, and cultural integrity and is outlined in the Bookings and Reservations section.
Non-aligned Activities: Activities, events, or uses that do not align with the purpose and spirit of the First Peoples’ Gathering House are restricted. Such uses may be considered only with specific approval.

Reservations and Booking

All bookings and reservations at the First Peoples’ Gathering House are guided by our shared responsibility to uphold the vision, purpose and protocols of this sacred space. The metaphor of Two Canoes is used to honour different pathways of engagement while ensuring that all activities remain aligned with Indigenous values, teachings and respectful use of the House. This approach reflects a commitment to balance, relational accountability and cultural integrity.

Before submitting a request, please review the intended use of the Gathering House and ensure your activity aligns with its vision and purpose.

If you are unsure which pathway applies to your request, contact fpgh_coordinator@sfu.ca.

Who Canoe One is for

Events and activities led by or for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students that promote cultural learning, ceremony, wellness, community building and academic success.
Programming and meetings initiated by Indigenous faculty, staff or Indigenous-serving units such as the Indigenous Student Centre, or Institutional Indigenous initiatives (such as SFU RESPECT or other cultural safety training) or Indigenous faculty-led research, pedagogy or ceremony.
Activities, events or gatherings initiated and led by the four Coast Salish Nations of the territory – kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwtlem), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
City of Burnaby, as part of its contribution agreement with SFU for requests that demonstrate alignment with the Gathering House’s purpose and Indigenous values.

Who Canoe Two is for

Use by Internal SFU departments, programs or faculty (non-Indigenous) will be limited and approved on a case-by-basis. Request for use of the space must demonstrate meaningful activities and engagement with Indigenous peoples, uphold Indigenous values and promote Truth and Reconciliation.
Use by external individuals or organizations (including the general public, external institutions or government bodies) will be limited and approved on a case-by-case basis.

For more information on use of the space, check Use and Care of First Peoples’ Gathering House.

Choose Your Booking Path

Book Canoe One

Indigenous-led use and Indigenous serving initiatives

Book Canoe Two

Internal SFU departments and external partners (case-by-case)

Indigenous‑led catering partners are available for events at any bookable space at SFU, alongside other approved catering providers. Choosing Indigenous‑led caterers is one way community members can support Indigenous initiatives and meaningfully engage with Indigenous culture through food. To learn more about the caterers we have partnered with, visit SFU's Meetings, Events and Conference Services.

Filming, Photography and Tours

Filming and photography

The First Peoples’ Gathering House will consider a limited number of filming and photography requests where the proposed project aligns with the values, purpose and cultural integrity of the space.

Priority is given to Indigenous-led productions and projects that advance Indigenous storytelling and representation. All filming must demonstrate respect for Indigenous protocols and must not interfere with regular operations, community access or scheduled programming.

The Wellness Room and Elders’ Room are not available for filming or photography.

All requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Approval is required in advance, and the First Peoples’ Gathering House reserves the right to decline any request that does not align with its values or operational priorities.

Tours

While the First Peoples’ Gathering House is not open to the public, there may be times where tours may be conducted at the House. Tours are scheduled upon request only and will be accommodated based on room availability and existing bookings. All tours must be booked in advance and walk-ins are not permitted.

Please note: Tour bookings are subject to change or cancellation based on the priorities of the space and operational needs. The Office for Indigenous Peoples has the right to refuse tour requests that do not align with intended uses, purposes or protocols for the House and all spaces within it.

Tour Protocols

In contribution to ensuring the vision, purpose and intent of the First Peoples’ Gathering House is always upheld, the following must be considered:

Tours will not be scheduled during meetings, events or ceremonies.
Guests are expected to be quiet and respectful while in the space.
Photography may be restricted in certain areas.

For filming, photography or tour inquiries, please contact fpgh_coordinator@sfu.ca.

Welcoming Spaces

For events and bookable spaces such as the First Peoples’ Gathering House, SFU also offers opportunities to engage with Indigenous‑led businesses.

Simon Fraser University