The First Peoples House at University of Victoria
This past weekend I gave a talk at the Department of Political Science of the University of Victoria, invited very kindly by Dr. Janni Aragon (Senior Instructor). It was great for me to give a seminar on my comparative wastewater policy project as it helps me frame my thinking for the book I am writing (yes, I am doing NaNoWriMo as NaBoWriMo). I already have the research, the data, and the thinking. All I need to do is write it. Anyways, I digress…
Between the end of my seminar and lunch at The University Club, Janni was kind enough to show me the First Peoples House. We have an equivalent at UBC, which I absolutely adore. So I was thrilled to see the University of Victoria’s First Peoples House.
In adopting “A Vision for the Future: Building on Strength, ” its strategic plan, the University of Victoria pledged to build “on our commitment to our unique relationship with Canada’s First Peoples.” One of the ways the university stated it would achieve this objective was through the construction of a First Peoples House.
First Peoples House creates an academic and cultural centre for Indigenous students, and a welcoming space on campus for the broader community. Designed by Alfred Waugh Architect of Vancouver in the Coast Salish style, the House includes academic, administrative and ceremonial spaces.
The 1,161 square-metre (12,500 square-foot) building houses the Office of Indigenous Affairs, Aboriginal student counselling services, classroom space, a student lounge and elders’ lounge, faculty offices as well as a ceremonial hall and kitchen.
I was quite impressed with the facility. It was so incredibly peaceful, and the programming looks quite incredible. Moreover, the First Peoples House has an Elder in Residence that students/faculty/staff can talk to if they need to do so. The architecture is absolutely impressive and there is so much wood in the construction the smell is absolutely beautiful.
I strongly recommend you to visit this facility next time you are at University of Victoria. If you are interested, you can check the rest of my photo set on Flickr.
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