SFU Indigenous Studies

10/06/2026

“I never learned so much as when I was learning with other people on the land,” says Kayla Christensen (BA, 2026) of her most memorable experiences as an Indigenous Studies major at Simon Fraser University. Christensen credits joining SFU Indigenous Studies’ Land-Based Field Course (INDG 435) as a turning point in her undergraduate career.

“I am from the We Wai Kai First Nation and I grew up in community. It was a big step to move away from home to attend university,” she reflects. While she faced challenges starting her degree during the often-isolating era of the pandemic, as she progressed through her academic journey, Christensen found that her outlook changed when she decided to step out of her comfort zone. Determined to make the most of her time as a student and gain new experiences, Christensen applied to participate in the Land-Based Field Course.

In May 2025, Christensen was thrilled to enrol in the course and make the trek to the Madii Lii culture camp, which is located within Luutkudziiwus (Gitxsan) Territories near Hazelton, BC. Led by Indigenous Studies associate professor Chelsey Armstrong, the Land-Based Field Course was designed in partnership with Wilp Luutkudziiwus (Gitxsan).

Along with instruction and mentorship from Armstrong, Christensen appreciated the opportunity to learn from Gitxsan knowledge holders and land defenders. “It didn’t feel like a course because of how it was facilitated,” Christensen explains. “We built solid relationships with each other: the SFU students, Gitxsan community members, including Gitxsan university students, and those teaching us. It wasn’t my community, but everyone made it feel like home.”

Read the full story: https://www.sfu.ca/indg/news-events/news/2026/christensen-alumni.html


SFU Alumni

09/25/2026

09/24/2026

The Council of Canadian Academies / Conseil des académies canadiennes Academies (CCA) has released a new report by the Expert Panel on Indigenous Science and Food Sovereignty.

The expert panel members include Zoe Todd, an Associate Professor of Indigenous Studies and Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Indigenous Governance and Freshwater Fish Futures at SFU.

Commissioned by the Government of Canada’s Interdepartmental Indigenous Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (I-STEM) Cluster, the report focuses on Indigenous food sovereignty and food security as an entry point for understanding how Indigenous knowledge systems can be supported in policy and governance.

Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Food Sovereignty examines ways to advance Indigenous food sovereignty and food security through policy and governance that bridge western and Indigenous knowledge systems for broader benefits. The report identifies three phases for bridging knowledge systems in policy and governance: building strong foundations, developing respectful relationships, and co-developing governance approaches that share authority and respond to shared priorities.

Read the report at: www.cca-reports.ca

09/18/2026

“Our language carries our history, our knowledge and our connection to these lands. Seeing these names reflected across Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby campus is an important recognition of the enduring presence of its Host Nations.” These words from Chief Wayne Sparrow of the Musqueam India...

09/17/2026

Dr. Bimose Nick Reo and the CERC in Coastal Relationalities and Regeneration (CORR) team are pleased to announce the opening of their research studio at SFU Burnaby. This space will help expand Indigenous research and support the training of Indigenous researchers at SFU. We are excited to see it become a place of connection, collaboration, and community.

To help us celebrate the studio's opening, you are invited to an Open House on September 28th, from 2 - 4 pm. Feel free to drop by for refreshments and conversation, and to learn more about the work CORR is doing to advance Indigenous resurgence. We hope to see you there!

If you have any questions, please contact Cassidy at [email protected].

09/16/2026

Congratulations to SFU Indigenous Studies Lecturer Bryan Myles on winning a Cormack Teaching Award from SFU Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences!

Established by former FASS Dean Lesley Cormack in 2010 to celebrate excellence and innovation in teaching within the faculty, the award recognizes the passion that faculty members bring to the classroom, their quality of pedagogy, and the value they bring to their students’ education and the FASS teaching community.

Read about this year's award recipients:

Congratulations to our Cormack Teaching Award and FASS Employee Achievement - Teaching Award winners!

09/03/2026

Indigenous students are invited and registration is required to join us for a special Naming Ceremony for our Burnaby Campus community.

After many years of work with language holders from the Kwikwetlem, Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish and Musqueam Nations, SFU will have the honour of receiving names in hənq̓əmín̓əm and Skwxwú7mesh Snichim for spaces on campus.

Join us at this invitation-only event to learn, witness and honour these gifts. This event will feature a lunch feast, followed by a ceremony with local dignitaries and Host Nations. Please email us at [email protected] by September 9th to learn more and receive the registration link.

08/31/2026

Congratulations and thank you, Dr. Eldon Yellowhorn!

SFU Indigenous Studies Professor Eldon Yellowhorn will retire as of September 1, 2026. A trailblazing researcher and dedicated educator, Yellowhorn was instrumental in establishing Indigenous Studies at SFU, serving as Inaugural Chair from 2012–17.

“I was just finishing my undergraduate degree when we heard that SFU had finally hired its first Indigenous faculty member, Dr. Eldon Yellowhorn,” reflects Indigenous Studies Department Chair Wenona Hall. “I was happy for the students who would be able to take a course from an Indigenous professor. This was huge news for us! It has been a dream come true to achieve colleague status with the likes of Dr. Eldon Yellowhorn.”

Yellowhorn’s connection with SFU first began when he enrolled as a master’s student in 1989. In 1993, he became the first Indigenous student to receive a graduate degree in Archaeology at SFU. In 2002, Yellowhorn was appointed as faculty in SFU’s Department of Archeology.

Throughout his career, Yellowhorn has worked tirelessly as a community advocate and leader. In 2023, he was honoured with the British Columbia Reconciliation Award.

An award-winning children’s author, Yellowhorn has written several books with Kathy Lowinger. A German language edition of their acclaimed book, "Sky Wolf’s Call: The Gift of Indigenous Knowledge," was published in 2024.

In retirement, Yellowhorn plans to remain as busy as ever and has several projects in the works.

Read the full story to learn more: https://www.sfu.ca/indg/news-events/news/2026/yellowhorn-retires.html

08/24/2026

Congratulations to SFU INDG's Nick Reo!

Announcing Our 2026 Community Award Winners!
We asked, and you answered! Thanks to your incredible community nominations, we are thrilled to announce this year's MIIN award winners.
Each week MIIN will present and honor one of our 5 award winners in the nominated categories of:
1) Chi-aya'aa Mayaamawi-nitaawichiged
2) Gekinoo'amaaged Mayaamawi-nitaawichiged
3) Gikinoo'amaagan Mayaamawi-nitaawichiged
4) Naagaaniid Mayaamawi-nitaawichiged
5) Mayaamawi-minwaabadak Gaa-ozhitood
Please leave a comment below to congratulate and celebrate our hard working award winners! MIIN appreciates and supports your efforts!