Work has begun to expand Shq’apthut (A Gathering Place) at the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Nanaimo campus.

The building is a home away from home for Indigenous students where cultural, academic, recreational and social activities are promoted and celebrated.

The expanded Shq’apthut building will add more ceremonial space, Elder-in-residence offices and additional washroom facilities, all within a fully accessible building. The new space will be heated and cooled by VIU’s District Geo-Exchange Energy System, which harnesses the geo-energy stored in sunken mine shafts under the campus. The surrounding site will undergo extensive landscaping that will exemplify and celebrate Indigenous culture.

“VIU is proud of its long-standing commitment to reconciliation and our collaborations with the Nations. The expansion of Shq’apthut is a tangible demonstration of our strategic commitment to build stronger partnerships with Indigenous communities in the regions we serve,” said Deborah Saucier, president, VIU. “Working with the provincial government on this project will enhance the on-campus learning experience for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students at VIU and allow the Elders the space they need to do their work.”

With $3.7 million in new funding between VIU and the province to expand Shq’apthut, completion is slated for spring 2024.

“Expanding Shq’apthut will allow us to host more cultural events because of increased capacity, and it will include dedicated office space for our Elders in residence to engage one-on-one with students in a culturally appropriate environment,” Sylvia Scow, interim director, Office of Indigenous Education and Engagement, VIU. “Having this space to build relationships and share traditional knowledge is key in our work to implement the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”