Indigenous Priorities

Honouring Indigenous storytelling

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) is home to a wide range of Indigenous research and work towards reconciliation at Simon Fraser University and in Canada. Learn more about how FASS is honouring the contributions of Indigenous peoples.

Reconciliation and Indigenization: Remembering Dr. Ruby Peter

Cowichan Tribes Elder and Simon Fraser University Elder in the Indigenous Languages Program Dr. Ruby Peter (Sti’tum’atul’wut in Coast Salish) passed away earlier this year but the Hul’q’umi’num’ language she worked tirelessly to revitalize will live on for generations. A fluent speaker of Hul'q'umi'num' from birth, Peter was a respected knowledge holder and accomplished linguistic researcher. Read more about Ruby Peter's impact at SFU. 

FASS graduate, Naomi Narcisse

For Naomi Narcisse, building a better future includes resilience, overcoming self-doubt, and becoming a life-long learner. She accomplished this by graduating from Indigenous Studies and is now pursuing her MA.

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FASS graduate, Julienne Melmenétkwe Ignace

To Julienne, inclusive societies preserve languages. She received a BA from SFU in linguistics and a diploma in First Nations Language Proficiency for Secwépemctsín (Shuswap Language).

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BRC fellow Dorothy Grant

Dr. Dorothy Grant, OC, was the first Haida fashion designer in Canada. In the early 80s, she was the first Indigenous designer to combine traditional Haida artwork with contemporary fashion. In 2021, FASS welcomed her as the Inaugural Bill Reid Centre Fellow.

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