U of A opens expansive new First Peoples’ House

First Peoples’ House (FPH) is a space for Indigenous students at the University of Alberta to find support, community, and cultural connection. They provide services and programs for students including cultural, physical, mental, financial, and emotional wellness. Previously, FPH was located on the second floor of the Students’ Union Building (SUB).

On August 24, the university held an opening ceremony for the newly constructed FPH. The opening of FPH also coincided with the 150 year anniversary of the signing of Treaty 6.

A larger, updated building was long overdue as FPH had outgrown their previous location in SUB. The lack of space made it difficult for FPH to provide students with supports and programs to the best of their ability.

The updated space is located in the old Herbert T. Coutts Library which closed in June 2020 and was part of the Education Building. The $16.8 million gathering space encompasses 40,000 square-feet, which is a major expansion to the size of the previous space.

Opening this space is a step forward in the universities commitment to institutional reconciliation. It also provides a better space to support the rapidly increasing Indigenous student population on campus.

The new space is a promise to Indigenous students, Dion says

The opening ceremony included a drum circle, as well as performances by traditional dancers. Various university staff spoke, including President and Vice-chancellor Bill Flanagan, and Provost and Vice-president academic Verna Yui, as well others who helped bring the new FPH to life.

“It represents a shared commitment to creating a university where First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students are at the heart of the university, and are welcomed, supported, celebrated, and empower to be authentically themselves,” Flanagan said. “I know that there were many people who had a hand in bringing us here today, but there is one person I want to mention in particular, and that is Shana.”

Shana Dion, assistant dean (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Students) in the Student Success and Experience office is the main visionary behind the new space.

“This is more than a new beginning. To our students, this is a promise, a promise you belong, a promise your dreams matter, a promise that your voices have been heard, a promise that generations coming behind you will have place to begin, and a promise that this place is just for you,” Dion said.

She concluded the ceremony by leading all attendees of the ceremony in a round dance.

The Gateway asked Dion if she anticipated being able to reach a greater number of Indigenous students through the space.

“Oh, absolutely,” she said. “I think this is also a recruitment and retention tool for across Canada … we’ll reach thousands more.”

Some features of FPH that Dion really advocated for was having their own dance studio and gym. She said that it was their number one priority to have a physical and spiritual space for students. In terms of spiritual space, ceremony can be held anywhere, which wasn’t the case with the old FPH space.

Dion concluded that the only thing missing from the building was a lost and found, intentionally kept out as FPH is a belonging space for all.