simon fraser
student society
Board of Directors
Maggie Benston Centre 2220
Simon fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6
sfss.ca
Members of Senate:
The SFSS is writing to request Senate cancel classes on Sept. 18th, 2013 and for
Senate to formally recommend an all campus closure to the Board of Governors in
recognition of
the opening day ceremonies for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's
Vancouver event.
Since the publication of our open letter to the SFU community on May 23, 2013 the
SFSS has received multiple letters of support from a variety of individuals and
organizations. These letters have come from department chairs, other faculty members,
well-recognized social justice constituency groups, and concerned students with all of them
sending a similar message; SFU has a duty to stand behind the documents it has published
and support the Aboriginal community in this historic moment of reconciliation.
There are ten pillars within the University's Aboriginal Strategic Plan (ASP), five of
which are directly relevant to this initiative: Liaison and Engagement with the Aboriginal
Community, Aboriginal Knowledge and Resource Development, Integration and Leadership
Development, Communications Strategies, and Government and NGO Relationships.
The ASP's Liaison and Engagement pillar goal is to, "Strengthen and increase
partnerships, collaborations, and engagement with Aboriginal peoples, communities, and
organizations." The organizations surrounding the Truth and Reconciliation, such as
Reconciliation Canada, present an opportunity for SFU to partner and collaborate with an
Aboriginal organization and the Aboriginal community.
Aboriginal Knowledge and Resource Development pillar's goal to"Engage and
promulgate an understanding and respect for Aboriginal communities, cultures,
epistemologies, histories, languages, and traditions among non-Aboriginal members of the
university and off-campus communities," is easily met by the TRC's purpose of educating
the Canadian public about the history of Canadian Indian Residential Schools. Since one of
the main purposes of the TRC is to gather statements from CIRS survivors, this event is a
unique, once in a lifetime opportunity for non-aboriginal people to act as witnesses for
survivors.
The Integration and Leadership Development pillar is aimed at the senior levels of
the University's administration, faculty, and staff. SFU administration should take a leader's
stance on this issue and close campuses to indicate their understanding of the pivotal role
the TRC plays in the relations between aboriginal and non-aboriginal Canada. The action
of closing SFU
campuses demonstrates that the Administration is truly committed to
supporting the Aboriginal community.
The goal for the Communication Strategies pillar is to "affect information sharing and
create awareness about Aboriginal initiatives, events, people and other potential items of
interest at Simon Fraser University with communities and media." The announcement of an
S.13-107
all campus closure sends a loud and decisive message that SFU stands with the Aboriginal
community.
The fifth point for consideration is the Government and NGO relationship pillar. While
the purpose and relevance of this pillar is clear, it is worth noting the action item within this
pillar which states SFU will work to, "Enhance socio-economic as well as educational and
political awareness in the community as they concern government, NGOs, and Aboriginal
peoples."
We are asking for one day, voluntarily given, to show the survivors who exist within
the SFU community and beyond that the SFU community acknowledges the years that were
taken from them. One day to work with the Aboriginal community on their path towards
healing and reconciliation. One day to prove that SFU truly stands behind and believes in
the value of its Aboriginal Strategic Plan and the Aboriginal community. I urge the
Administration to not just cancel classes but close all campuses, by doing so SFU would
make a very clear statement; we are a leader on Aboriginal issues.
Clay J. Gray
At-Large Representative
Simon Fraser Student Society
atlarqe2(5)sfss.ca | www.sfss.ca
(778) 837 2800
simon fraser
student society
Board of Directors
Maggie Renston Centre ???0
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6
sfss.ca
Dear SFU Community:
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) will be gathering in Vancouver,
from Sept. 18-21st, 2013 for one of its six national events.
The TRC is mandated to seek the truth
and play a part in the healing and reconciliation process for the Aboriginal people of Canada who
suffered atrocities
under the Canadian residential school system.
The Simon Fraser Student Society is asking you for letters ofsupport for our proposed action,
a closing of all three campuses on Sept. 18th.
These letters will be taken to the June 10th Senate
meeting for
the purpose of showing the extent to which students support this initiative.
Although
many may be aware of the existence of the residential school system within Canada, few are
cognizant of the extent to which this government initiative damaged the Aboriginal community.
Over
3,000 child deaths occurred at institutions throughout the 150-year history of residential
schools,
with the last residential school closing its doors in 1996. Accompanying the death toll is well
documented and rampant physical, psychological, and sexual abuse.
Along with playing a part in the healing and reconciliation of the Aboriginal community, the TRC also
seeks to create awareness among the Canadian public regarding this page in Canadian history. The
Truth and Reconciliation Commission is a crucial aspect in the process of recognizing the systematic
disenfranchisement of Aboriginal communities across Canada.
Currently,
the University of British Columbia has committed to suspending all classes on September
18"' to allow students, staff, and faculty to attend the opening day ceremonies of the TRC.
In
its
Aboriginal Strategic Plan SFU states, "The University is committed to: Engaging the Aboriginal
community in every way possible to contribute to their social, economic, environmental, and
cultural well-being"
(ASP 2013, p 2).
The Simon Fraser Student Society is requesting the University to stand behind its statement to be
"the leading engaged university in Canada" (ASP 2013, p 2) by closing all three SFU campuses and
formally inviting
all
SFUcommunity members to participate in this historic event. At the very least,
we believe as an
expression of SFU'scommitment to the Aboriginal community, all classes should be
cancelled to match UBC'sacknowledgement of this landmark event.
We are at a pivotal moment in Canadian history, if SFU is serious about establishing itself as
an ally to the Aboriginal community; this is an opportunity to be exemplars for the rest of
Canadian universities.
Yours in gratitude,
Clay ]>rray
At-Large Representative
On behalf of the SFSS Board of Directors
Simon Fraser Student Society
atlarge2@sfss.ca | www.sfss.ca
(778)837 2800
simon fraser
mnn®^££i
student society
inrn^st
mnffi'j>*.^M%mn * nmai
* auxin
•
17X
Maggie Benston Centre 2220
8888 University Dr.
Burnaby, BC,
V5A1S6
sfss.ca
2013*P9E18HIiJ21H >MHtJMB^ftftfiflA (the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission of
Canada) SfA^WgtfrtttSBWiEfcStM—tt • finf-AEffi
Sft ' pn3S?**^#liS-&fi:^«$}#^^#^;F49^l8H^fflMnil^^^
fiLhi [^#ewsi*
vN.
:-M#P£7#M^f£E^#
;JaI:zx
fiW1f$&*
KMW3ER»«
—*K ' ^M - ^i$A^ (UBC) B^*^9^18S^®ffiI - t±^^W»5RIrT
Btt «WttR8WWt*l»
(Aboriginal Strategic Plan)
M®^* : rafc^SKAflFW—
^RriT^s^JHiRtts^w^is' wisiai^ffiR±a#" ear * srateXftiM: • j
fl»KftRtfc*MJWR °
itm
Jim
;«IW-»F
ra
t%-7fi[$£t : atlarge2@sfss.ca
Rftt : www.sfss.ca
%*£ : (778)-837-2800
simon fraser
mmttm^mm^
Maggie Benston Centre 2220
8888 University Dr.
Burnaby, BC, V5A1S6
sfss.ca
student society
Back to top
mnn&m&+
ffin«»**tt*»ms
^mm
^
m&n •
2013^9^180 PJ210 - JDt^IMlDlilt (the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission of Canada) ft*&aiWSHft4l£BBS*8*M—if • JJP^AE*!
m^»#M«M^g - ^%SffftR*«9ttKtt4)Sft«ltA9JRttR*##««Jt
Stf-M&BNflMI • MP^»N^^**S7^8H^S31*##M±^^#fit«iSJ#
Sfe^tt^AtffiHiAl^AllftVaKttRVVVttXjR • fiS^^AKJEBg»5i1@
Sj&iS&Al«lSape^^SilffiR?±i¥5ifi£fI*5E*W^A - ai1996#»«-|Mift
RftWRMHAit ' J^ttRS^^eSStBIS#ffi7fiSi50^ • ^&®3®3000€lgC
S3I2K
*n*ASfflUt*nJB-:
#T#«fc«ftRS
&«• ^j^ftK^pMft^z
fljo
-SB '
mm
• 3M£A^ (UBO BM*S9^18 01:M1?S ' ^^^fni(ilxwr
BW «JSffiR9WS^»J»
(Aboriginal Strategic Plan)
S®3S* : r*^*a^j^W—
«Wfr)t§MBttRttffHHiniS • HftiMttR:£tt* - ffi* *BWMBMMMI: • J
iwjRttRtti¥n»ie •
^*M^in^ttRafeMSw«s •
mm?m:;p±mj&Mnm\\^±±mmmM
•
^•715^1 : atlarge2@sfss.ca
^jilh : www.sfss.ca
mt5 : (778)-837-2800
Jenna LaFrance MEd
Director
Indigenous Student Centre
Student Affairs
MBC 1500
8888 University Dr
Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6
Phone:
778-782-3555
Assistant: 778-782-6929
Fax:
778-782-5682
Email: jenna_lafrance@sfu.ca
SFU
Indigenous Student Centre
Student Affairs
June 13,2013
Simon Fraser Student Society
Maggie Benston Centre 2220
8888 University Drive,
Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6
Dear Clay J. Gray,
The SFU Indigenous Student Centre welcomed the letter addressed to the
SFU Community requesting a support letter for the Simon Fraser Student
Society (SFSS) proposed action, a closing of all three campuses on
September 18, 2013 for the purpose of taking the lead with regard to
acknowledging the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
of Canada (TRC)
who will be holding the last
of seven National gatherings in Vancouver from
September 18-21,2013.
"The national events will engage the Canadian public and provide education
about the history of the residential schools system, the experience of former
students and their families and the ongoing legacies of the institutions within
communities. The national events will also be opportunities to celebrate
regional diversity and honour those touched by residential schools." Quote
from http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/index.php?p=92
"For over 100 years....more than 150.000 First Nations. Metis, and Inuit
children were forced to attend these schools some of which were hundreds of
miles from their home. The cumulative impact of residential schools is a
legacy of unresolved trauma passed from generation to generation and has
had a profound effect on the relationship between Aboriginal peoples...
Collective efforts from all peoples are necessary to revitalize the relationship
between Aboriginal peoples and Canadian society - reconciliation is the
goal... that will take the commitment of multiple generations but when it is
achieved, when we have reconciliation - it will make for a better, stronger
Canada." Quote: http://www.trc.ca/websites/reconciliation/index.php?p=312
The Indigenous Student Centre supports this SFSS initiative and opportunity
to raise awareness, with SFU students, staff and faculty, of the history and
legacy
of Canada's Residential School System's devastating effect.
With regard
^
SIMON FRASlill U N I V I- H S 1 I Y
ENGAGING THE WORLD
SFU
29 May 2013
DliPAin'MKNTOI-HNGLISIl
faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
AQ6129
8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC
Canada \'5A 1S6
TKL 778.782.3136
www.english.sfu.ca
Dear Members of Senate:
I write to express my strong support for the proposal by the Simon Fraser Student Society requesting an
official closure of all three campuses of the university on September 18th in orderto allow students,
faculty, and staff to attend the historic opening of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's
(TRC) meetings in Vancouver on September 18, 2013.
Such a proposal is consistent with the strategic vision of the university, including its commitment to be a
leader in community engagement and on Aboriginal affairs. On this day, in this region, the most
important teaching and learning moments available to our students—and ourselves—will not be found in
our respective classrooms. Rather, they will occur as part of the collective public witnessing and
education that is such a fundamental part
of the TRC mandate.
I urge my colleagues on Senate to follow the example
of UBC, and to take inspiration from our own
student leaders, by officially cancelling classes on this day and leading the push for a strong and visible
SFU presence at the commission.
Sincerely,
A^
cO-^
Peter Dickinson
Professor
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
ENGAGING THE WORLD
Dr Manfred Trummer
Professor and
Department Chair
SFU MATHEMATICS
MAILING ADDRESS
Dept. oi'Mathematics
8888 University Drive
Burnaby BC Canada
V5A 1S6
CONTACT
tel +1 (778)7X2-3378
l'ax+1 (778)782-4947
www.math.sfu.ca
SFU
Faculty o i; S c i En c e
Department of Mathematics
June 8, 2013
SFU Senate
Re: Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Sep IS. 2013 —Campus Closure
Dear Members of the Senate,
I am writing this letter in support ol the SFSS initiative to cancel classes at SFU on the
first day of the
TRC s visit to Vancouver in September.
I understand that a decision to cancel classes cannot be taken lightly. This is, however,
one of the most important historical issues facing this country. SFU has made great
strides in supporting issues important to the aboriginal community; acknowledging the
TRC visit by allowing, and indeed encouraging, members of the SFU community to
attend the opening ceremonies would be a wonderful gesture.
Sincerely
Manfred Trummer
SIMON F R A S I: R UNIVERSITY
ENGAGING THE WORLD
Simon Fraser University
Administrative & Professional Staff Association
June 19, 2013
Dear Members of SFU Senate,
One June 10, 2013 the APSA Board of Directors voted unanimously to support the
Simon Fraser Student Society'scampaign to close all three SFU campuses on
September 18, 2013 in honour of the opening of the Truce and Reconciliation
Commission's gathering in Vancouver.
The members of the APSA Board believe this historic occasion is a valuable
opportunity for SFU to promote one of the goals of the SFU Aboriginal Strategic Plan
2013-2018 to "Engage and promulgate an understanding and respect for Aboriginal
communities, cultures, epistemologies, histories, languages and traditions among
non-Aboriginal members of the university and off-campus communities".
The closure of
the campuses will provide the most encouragement for staff to
participate in the opening ceremonies to learn firsthand about the atrocities
suffered under the Canadian residential school system and to understand the long
lasting impact the system continues to have on multiple generations of Aboriginal
people.
Sincerely,
SFU Administrative and Professional Staff Association
Neal Baldwin
President
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
AQ 5134
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6
tel 778.782.4319
fax 778.782.4245
email apsai^sfu.ca
web apsacentral.ca
The Graduate Student Society
at Simon Fraser University
June 14.2013
Dear SFU Senate.
On May 29th 2013. the Council ofthe Graduate Student Society (OSS) at Simon Fraser University (SFU)
voted unanimously in favour of supporting the Simon Fraser Student Society's (SFSS) campaign to close
all ofSFU's three campuses and suspend classes on Sept. IS1'1. 2013. This date marks the opening
ceremonies ofthe Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's (TRC) gathering in Vancouver, BC
and would allow students, staff, and faculty to attend this historic event.
The GSS Council is a body made up of representatives from every graduate Faculty. Department, and
Program at SFU. This vote therefore indicates the solidarity that SFU graduate students feel towards the
work
ofthe TRC and their commitment to reconciliation processes for the Aboriginal people of Canada.
By closing all three SFU campuses in recognition
of this landmark event and its impact on Aboriginal
communities and the Canadian public, SFU will stand behind its statement to be "the leading engaged
university in Canada" (ASP 2013. p 2). We stand in strong support ofthe TRC's mandate to work towards
reconciliation for the Aboriginal people of Canada and to create awareness among the Canadian public
regarding the atrocities suffered under the Canadian residential school system.
We believe that SFU as a leading Canadian university has a responsibility to engage and support this
work. Therefore, we strongly urge SFU to abide by its commitment to engage students, research, and
communities by closing all three SFU campuses and formally inviting all SFU community members to
participate in this significant historical event.
Sincerely.
Ciftordinatinu and External Relations Officer
Eleonora Joensuu
Member and Community Relations Officer
Maggie Benston Centre Room 2205 • Simon Fraser University • 8888 University Drive • Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6
http://www.sfugradsociety.ca • Tel: (778) 782-3899 • Fax: (778) 782-6594
•X- 90.1 FM
Frieda Werden, Spoken Word Coordinator
CJSF Radio
TC-216 Simon Fraser University
Burnaby BC V5A 1S6, Canada
(778)782-4423 phone
e-mail: cjsfpa@sfu.ca
www.cjsf.bc.ca - streaming on the web
Departmental Blog: http://cisfpa.blouspot.eom-
May 22, 2013
To the SFU Community:
CJSF radio is pleased to support the recommendation ofthe Simon Fraser Student Society,
calling for SFU campuses to be closed on September 18, 2013, in order to encourage members of
the SFU community to attend the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada gathering
taking place that day.
The significance
ofthe Truth and Reconciliation process for Canada can hardly be overstated. It
is addressing a grievous wound in Canadian society, and
it's ofthe utmost importance that as
many Canadians as possible take part in the process of societal change and healing.
CJSF has been following this process ever since the Prime Minister's apology on June 11. 2008.
and we will be covering the event on September 18. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission
is doing a huge
job with limited resources, and Vancouver is very lucky to be the site of one of
the six national events they are holding. I think that for those who participate it will be
unforgettable in its symbolic resonance for their lives.
We ask the university please to mark the importance ofthe process and the event with a campus
closing, as UBC and other campuses will be doing.
Yours sincerely,
Frieda Werden
Spoken Word/Public Affairs Coordinator
CJSF Radio 90.1FM
TC-216 SFU * Burnaby. BC* V5A1S6 *Tel: 778.782.3727 * Fax: 778.782.3695 * Email: CjSimgr@SfU.ca * Webcast cjsf.ca
M
ON CBMPfljg
Out On Campus
Simon Fraser University
Rotunda, TC314-N
,,;,,„.
8888 University Drive, Burnaby, B.C.
^«K" °»^%.^1
Canada V5A 1S6
May 29»\ 2013
Letter of Support
Dear SFU Senate,
Out On Campus
strongly supports the request made by
Mr. Clay Gray
and the
Simon Fraser Student
Society
to suspend all activities at
SFU
campuses on
September
18th, 2013, as a meaningful way of supporting,
encouraging and inviting students, staffand faculty to participate in the
Opening Ceremonies
ofthe
Truth and
Reconciliation Commission's National Event in Vancouver.
We feel that, by allowing the members of our
SFU
community who have been affected by the
Canadian
Residential School
system to attend at least the
Opening Ceremonies
ofthe
TRC, SFU
will be meaningfully
supporting and contributing to their processes of healing and reconciliation.
We also feel that,
because the
Canadian Residential School
system was a government-run system of
oppression and abuse, it is important for
Canadian
institutions to actively acknowledge and educate the
Canadian
public about the past events, how those among us have been affected, and the current efforts being made to help
create a positive future.
We believe it is important for us, as a
Canadian
community, to face and acknowledge that our government
was responsible for running a program that forcibly abducted children from their families, and put them in boarding
schools that subjected many of them to emotional, psychological, physical and sexual abuse. The children were also
punished for using
their own language and practicing their own culture, and they were forced to adopt Christianity.
As a
student service whose constituency comprises individuals from oppressed groups,
Out on Campus
recognizes the need for conscious and substantial actions to be taken to address the ongoing effects of oppression in
our society.
Out On Campus
recognizes that active and practical support for those affected by oppression, and
education aimed at the broader public are important, and that these things are also the goals ofthe
TRC.
The TRC's National Event in Vancouver
September
18th is a rare, valuable and important resource for those
who have suffered from,
and continue to suffer from the effects ofthe
Canadian Residential School
system. In
addition to helping to
create a more positive future for those affected, it is also an admirable effort by those affected to
offering
their experiences as an contribution to
Canadian
society. We feel that
SFU
has an important opportunity at
this time to acknowledge
that members ofthe
SFU
community have been affected by the
Canadian Residential
School
system, and participate in educating the broader public about the ongoing effects.
We join with Mr.
Gray
and the
SFSS
in respectfully requesting that
SFU
support those in the
SFU
community
affected by the
Canadian Residential School
system and take a leadership role in educating the broader public by
suspending school activity on
September 18th
and formally inviting all student, staffand faculty to attend the
Opening Ceremonies
ofthe
Truth and Reconciliation Commission's National Event in Vancouver.
Sincerely,
Out On Campus
ov.
C/fe
^°°c
As^t
per
<^C
G^UeJtv*^
SiiviON Fraser Public Interest Research Croup
-
engaging students in social and environmentaljustice since 1981
~
To the Senate of Simon Fraser University,
Please accept this letter on behalf of the SFPIRG Board of Directors. The Simon Fraser Public
Interest Research Group (SFPIRG) is a student-funded and student-directed resource centre
dedicated to social and environmental justice. Our mission is to engage students in social and
environmental justice through education, action, research and community-building. We have been
based on the Burnaby campus for over 30 years.
We would like to wholeheartedly express our support for the SFSS's campaign, lead by Clay Gray, to
close SFU on September 18th, 2013, in order for SFU students and staff to participate in the Truth
and Reconciliation Ceremonies.
One of the values that guides SFPIRG's work is the recognition of and support for Indigenous
sovereignty and the process of decolonization globally. One part of this process includes the
opportunity for Indigenous people to tell their stories and the opportunity for settler Canadians to hear
them. The vast majority of settler Canadians have no idea about the realities that Indigenous people
have experienced and continue to experience in Canada. We believe that these opportunities for
increased understanding are a vital part of decolonizing ourselves and our society.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of
Canada has a mandate to learn the truth about
what happened in the residential schools and to inform all Canadians about what happened in the
schools. There are currently estimated to be 80,000 residential school survivors in Canada. Arguably,
their children are also inter-generational survivors, and in fact, more native children are in foster care
today than were ever in the residential school system. This just goes to show that although residential
schools have formally ended in Canada, their impact has not.
SFU has the opportunity to truly lead its students, staff and communities in demonstrating what it
means to be an engaged university. In closing all SFU campuses for the TRC Ceremonies, SFU will
clearly demonstrate its respect and support for Indigenous communities, rights and cultures. It will be
a powerful step towards creating a campus and community that is actively compassionate and caring
towards all people.
If you have any further questions for us, please feel free to contact us at board@sfpirg.ca.
Sincerely and in solidarity,
/
Kevin Estrada
SFPIRG Director
On behalf of the SFPIRG Board of Directors
Mailing Address: SFPIRG, TC326, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Unceded Coast Salish Territories, V5A1S6, Canada
Tel: (778)782-4360 Email: info@sfpirg.ca Web: www.sfpirg.ca Facebook: facebook.com/sfpirg Twitter: @sfpirg
June 5th 2013
Dear SFU Senate,
My name is Julia Lane and I am a third-year PhD Candidate in Arts Education at SFU. I am
writing today in support ofthe Simon Fraser Student Society's (SFSS) campaign to close all of
SFU's three campuses and suspend classes on September 18,h, 2013. This date marks the opening
ceremonies
ofthe Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada's gathering in
Vancouver, BC. The University
of British Columbia has committed to suspending classes on this
date; however, I urge SFU to take this one step further. Closing all three campuses will allow all
SFU students, staff, and faculty to attend this historic event. I hope that SFU will see this as an
opportunity to encourage all community members to become actively involved in the TRC
opening ceremonies.
Before beginning my studies at SFU I completed a master's degree in Canadian Studies and
Indigenous Studies at Trent University. It was during this time that I adopted that strong position
that reconciliation actions taken in Canada are the responsibility and concern
of all Canadians. It
is often easy to see these issues as only relevant to Indigenous peoples; however, it is clear that
the devastating tragedies
ofthe residential school system were perpetrated cross-culturally, that
the impacts
of these tragedies continue to be felt cross-culturally, and that the path to
reconciliation
must be taken in truly collaborative cross-cultural ways in order to facilitate
healing.
As a non-Indigenous Canadian I take my responsibility to be an ally and become
actively involved in reconciliation very seriously. For these reasons, I consider it both a moral
and a civic duty for
me to be present at the opening ceremonies, as well as other public events, of
the TRC. I stand in solidarity with the TRC mandate to work towards reconciliation for the
Aboriginal people of Canada and to create awareness among the Canadian public regarding the
atrocities suffered under the Canadian residential school system.
Closing SFU campuses will demonstrate our
community's recognition of this landmark event
and its impact on both Aboriginal communities and the Canadian public. Furthermore, this action
will allow SFU to enact its stated intention to be "the leading engaged university in Canada"
(ASP 2013, p. 2). I believe that SFU ~ as a leading Canadian university -- has a responsibility to
engage with and support the work ofthe TRC in whatever ways possible, beginning with closing
all SFU campuses on September 18th 2013 and urging all SFU community members to
participate in the opening ceremonies on this date.
Sincerely,
Julia Lane
Urban Native Youth Association
1618 East Hastings St., Vancouver, BC, V5L 1S6
Ph: 604.254.7732
Fax: 604.254.7811
www.unya.bc.ca
June 3, 2013
To whom it may concern,
The Urban Native Youth Association fully supports the efforts ofthe Simon Fraser Student
Society'sto have Simon Fraser University join the University of British Columbia in its commitment
to suspend all classes on Wednesday September 18, 2013 so that students and faculty can attend,
volunteer for, and support the work of the national Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
in its efforts to bring about true reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
This once in a lifetime opportunity must be recognized as a great opportunity for SFU to work on
projects and initiatives that will help students to prepare for and participate in this public event. A
true
understanding about the ongoing effects ofthe residential school system, as well as the
opportunities to foster true reconciliation on both individual and community levels will be very
beneficial to all students and faculty who participate.
Thank you for considering this very important opportunity. Ifyou have any further questions or
comments, please feel free to call me at 604-254-7732.
Sincerely,
Lynda Gray
Executive Director
Training the Leaders ofTomorrow
simon fraser
student society
Stockwell
Day
<stockwellday@stockwellday.com>
Maggie Benston Centre 2220
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6
Tel 778-782-3870
sfss.ca
Jun 15
(2 days
ago)
Clayton, thank you for your participation in the event today and for our discussion after the
session. I am encouraged to see your support for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and
the potential it brings. We share in common the aspirations of many that the lofty but necessary
goals ofthe Commission will be realized. Regards always, Stockwell Day
Hon.Stockwell Day P.C.
Good afternoon,
am a first generation residential school survivor and I support the closure of SFU.
In the Spirit,
Darcy
SLC Assistant
Tel: 778.782.4648
Email: dwolf(5)sfu.ca
Dear Mr. Gray.
I'm writing to indicate my support for your proposal to close SFU campuses
on September 18, 2013, in order to allow SFU community members to attend the TRC
event in Vancouver. I think this would send a strong message of support for the
importance
of this event and is in keeping with SFU's stated commitment to engagement
with the Aboriginal community. If classes are cancelled on September 18, I will
encourage my students to attend by offering an extra credit assignment based on the
events.
Best,
Ronda Arab
Associate Professor of English
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6
ronda arab@,sfu.ca
778.782.8506 (Burnaby)
778.782.5164 (Surrey)
John Bannister
Jun 4
(13 days
ago)
Clay:
The CUPE 3338 Executive Board will provide a letter of support mirroring what UBC has
committed to in regards to the TRC.
John
To Whom It May Concern:
I support the SFSS and others calling on SFU to cancel classes on September
18, 2013 to encourage SFU students and faculty to attend the TRC hearings.
Dara Culhane, PhD
Associate Professor, Anthropology
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Simon Fraser University
Back to top