Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) has started installing signage bearing indigenous language as part of its reconciliation efforts.
The new signage featuring the h蓹n虛q虛蓹min虛蓹m虛 dialect was unveiled at KPU鈥檚 91原创 campus on Monday, Nov. 18 by university president Dr. Alan Davis and Fern Gabriel, a member of the Kwantlen First Nation, with her sisters Cheryl and Donna and 91原创 City Mayor Val van den Broek also present.
Gabriel says there鈥檚 no direct translation into English of the h蓹n虛q虛蓹min虛蓹m虛 words that describe her happiness at seeing the dialect appearing on signage at university.
鈥淚t鈥檚 beyond joy, what I鈥檓 feeling today,鈥� she said.
鈥淚 thank you all for this day. It is history.鈥�
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Gabriel, who teaches the h蓹n虛q虛蓹min虛蓹m虛 dialect in the 91原创 School District, translated the words that appear on the signage, which also features art by KPU graduate Brandon Gabriel, a mixed media artist and member of the Kwantlen First Nation.
Davis said the signage is a 鈥渟tep on the path to ensuring that the traditional, ancestral lands of the First Nations people in KPU鈥檚 region are properly acknowledged at all our campuses. It is also part of a much wider and deeper effort by KPU to address the Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission鈥檚 report of 2015.
He praised Gabriel, saying her 鈥渨isdom and insight have been invaluable as we try to make KPU more welcoming to all indigenous learners, employees and guests.鈥�
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The signage uses Brandon Gabriel鈥檚 original design of the salmon and the wolf, which forms part of KPU鈥檚 coat of arms.
鈥淎s a graduate of KPU, I am happy that this effort to respect the h蓹n虛q虛蓹min虛蓹m虛 dialect on university campuses is taking place,鈥� Brandon Gabriel commented.
鈥淭o have such a sought-after language knowledge-keeper like Kwantlen First Nation鈥檚 Fern Gabriel (a.k.a. Sesm蓹lot) to provide her input is tremendous.
鈥淭his language recognition will provide an anchor for the university community to bring more understanding and importance of local Indigenous people and history.鈥�
The language panel has a Thunderbird design by Sehmiamoo First Nation artist Roxanne Charles.
More signage featuring the h蓹n虛q虛蓹min虛蓹m虛 dialect will be installed at KPU鈥檚 Surrey campus this week.
KPU鈥檚 Richmond, Tech and Civic Plaza campuses will also have indigenous signage installed in due course.
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