I want to begin by acknowledging all of my relations whose footsteps have marked this territory for centuries including: Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux. To my nêhiyawak Ancestors, kinanâskomitin to all of you for caring for this land for centuries, which is now where Amiskwaciwâskahikan / ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᕀᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ and where the University of Alberta resides; a place where we all can learn, laugh, play and grow together in harmony.
Our Ancestors left us so much — a legacy of deep roots, culture, traditional ways of being and knowing, tribal languages, âcimowina, ekwa âtayôhkewina and sacred ceremonies. They left us with so much love that you can see it and feel it everywhere. sâkihitowin is the legacy I want to leave behind.
I want to know that each First Nation, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) student is proud that they chose the U of A, because of its core values and the way they felt grounded in integrity, fairness and respect during their time here — but, more importantly, that each student knows they are safe, not only through words but in practice. I hope that they bear witness to Truth and Reconciliation on this campus.
First Peoples’ House’s (FPH) transition into a newer and larger space is a very meaningful action in reconciling historical traumas of our past. It’s integral to the overall FNMI student journey at the U of A. My hope is that FNMI students are able to honour a holistic way of being by staying true to who they are and continue meskanaw, while on their academic journey.
I am pleased to announce that work will begin this fall on the transformation of the former Herbert T. Coutts Library, located in the education building on the U of A’s North campus, into a new home for First Peoples’ House.
On a peaceful September morning, FPH community members, facilities and operations staff members and University of Alberta leaders started off the project in a pipe ceremony guided by Elder Francis Whiskeyjack and cultural helper Elsey Gauthier. Both program planning and architectural visioning for this project are well advanced, and ongoing design activities are happening in consultation with the FPH and FNMI community at the U of A. The large, unused space is at the center of North Campus and holds great potential for FPH to create a brand new gathering place that can serve and support the whole FNMI student body at the U of A.
Since its creation, FPH has had the heart and expertise to create transformational change in the lives of FNMI students, but without adequate resources or space, it has never had the chance to serve the whole FNMI student body. At present, FPH can only fit 50 people into its space in the Students’ Union Building — and the U of A has more than 1,800 FNMI students on campus.
Renovating a larger space for FPH will empower its staff to continue their heart-work in an unprecedented way and increase the capacity of its holistic student supports through expanded programming, staffing and resources — things that have not yet been possible due to physical restraints. First Peoples’ House will be able to grow alongside its community and invite them in, saying tawâw — and truly have space for all FNMI students to belong and thrive.
The U of A has allotted $18 million toward the First Peoples’ House renovation. An additional $6 million in philanthropic support is needed to make the renovation a reality. The initial deconstruction work inside the former Herbert T. Coutts Library will begin on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, with a project completion target in 2026.
My ongoing hope is that FNMI students are celebrated because of the melody of diversity they bring to this campus. I want FNMI students to know their strong, rich cultural traditions, histories, and at times the beautiful, unrefined pieces of themselves, have and will continue to enrich and beautify the U of A community, just by being here.
I know that this legacy of love is what we all aspire to leave behind — one that, when you, your friends, family or grandchildren walk this campus, they see your love sprinkled in the corners and corridors of campus. The love left behind is for the next seven generations to feel far after we have left okâwîmâw askiy.
Together, we call on the collective to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with sâkihitowin alongside First Peoples’ House in creating a new home for First Nation, Métis and Inuit learners at the University of Alberta.
Shana Dion
Assistant Dean, First Nation, Métis and Inuit students
Dean of Students
Keep an eye on your "Working at the U" emails for project milestones and updates.
About Shana
tānisi nitotemtik. shana dion, nitisiyihkâson. nêhiyaw iskwêwak. kehewin cree nation niya ohci. Māka niwīkin amiskwaciwâskahikan. nohtawiy, George Dion, nikâwiy Arlene Dion ekwa nikosis Delton. It is important that I introduced myself in Cree because it grounds me in who I am, where I come from and who I am accountable to. As assistant dean, First Nations, Métis and Inuit students in the Office of the Dean of Students, I am dedicated to supporting, guiding and delivering holistic support for First Nations, Métis and Inuit learners. I hope to leave behind a legacy that lets FNMI students know that I loved them in advance.
As each of us moves through our journey at the U of A, I hope you lead with courage, humility, kindness, openness, respect, and truly with love.