First Peoples House
The First Peoples House (FPH) is a social, cultural and academic centre for Indigenous students at UVic and serves as a safe and welcoming place that encourages the building of community. We encourage you to come in and be part of creating a supportive space for Indigenous students on campus.
The First Peoples House is a home-away-from-home for Indigenous students and provides a safe space for learning, sharing and community building. Acknowledging the teachings from these territories, one must enter the House with a good mind and good heart.
Although it displays art, the First Peoples House is not an actual art gallery or museum. Visitors are always welcome, but please walk quietly and with respect for the staff and students working and studying in the building.
When entering the First Peoples House, do so with respect for the ancestors – the original caretakers of this land – and for each other by upholding the following teachings:
Héʔəkʷ ʔə cə čəléŋən ɫtə
HÁEQ TE OL TŦE ĆELÁ EN TE
Remember our ancestors/birthright
Nəc̓əmaat kʷəns čeʔi
ĆȺNEUEL OL
Work together
Nəw̓es šxʷ cən ʔay̓ šqʷeləqʷən
ÁMEḴT TŦEN ÍY, ŚḰÁLEȻEN
Bring in your good heart and mind
Leʔt šxʷ helə ʔə cə mak̓ʷ sčeʔi səʔ}
S,HOI EI MEQ EN ENA SE SĆȺ
Be prepared for the work to come
lək̓ʷəŋən – top / SENĆOŦEN – middle