South Surrey Indigenous Learning House
Learn about this new space for connection, gathering and learning.
A Venue for Learning
The new facility provides local space to support Indigenous cultural practices, including carving and other creative disciplines. The unique venue includes enclosed studio space, as well as an open-air pavilion to support additional programming and gathering. The programming model for the facility will include artists-in-residence, workshops, events and school programs.
Commitment to Dialogue and Community Engagement
Development of the venue and its programming has been informed by ongoing dialogue and consultation with Semiahmoo, Kwantlen and Katzie First Nations. The result is a space to help recover, restore, and preserve traditional Indigenous cultural practices.
Grand Opening
Saturday, June 17 | 11am-3pm
Join us to celebrate the opening of the facility and the opportunities for learning and reconciliation it will allow. The event will include:
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Ribbon cutting ceremony
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Demonstrations
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Performances
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Site-wide activations
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Food vendors
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Indigenous artisan market
To inquire about being a vendor, email Kristin.hardie@surrey.ca.
The family friendly event will flow into the grounds of Historic Stewart Farm. Parking is limited. Additional parking is available in the west Elgin Heritage Park lot just a five-minute trail walk away.
"I am thrilled that we have been able to collaborate with the City to create this incredible new space. It provides a much-needed space to support cultural practices, learning and dialogue in a meaningful way.”
Chief Harley Chappell, Semiahmoo First Nation
Location
The venue is located in Elgin Heritage Park, which is situated on the unceded, traditional and ancestral lands of the Salish peoples, including the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), and se’mya’me (Semiahmoo) nations. The venue neighbors Historic Stewart Farm, sharing a parking lot and washrooms. On the grounds, you can reflect on the park’s parallel heritages and learn from your experiences.
Artist in Residence
Resident artists will engage the community through artist led activities, workshops, artist talks and other methods of their choosing. Artists will have full use of the space and onsite tools and resources to support their work.
Call for Interest
Are you an Indigenous artist interested in learning more about residency, project, or program opportunities?
Email Kristin.hardie@surrey.ca
Upcoming Program
Katzie First Nation healer Deanna Miller will host a registered Plant Walk surrounding the South Surrey Indigenous House of Learning on July 29. She will share her ancestral knowledge of healing through plants she harvests from her land. Her name šxʷne:m is a word in the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language meaning healer. Registration will open in early June.
Stay tuned for additional program opportunities in this exciting new space.
School Programs
Collaboration between Indigenous leaders, Surrey School District and City staff is underway to develop school programs that are curriculum current and unique to the venue. Classes are expected to begin arriving for field trips in January 2024.
Funding
The carving centre is one of several capital projects approved by City Council in the 2021 budget, with additional funding support from the Government of Canada, Heritage BC and Friends of the Surrey Museum and Archives Society. For more information, see the Capital Projects page.
The City now employs a Coordinator of Indigenous Programs who will manage the facility, liaise with partnering groups and plan and coordinate programs offered at the facility.