Indigenous Peoples & Reconciliation

The City of Burnaby recognizes that we are on the ancestral and unceded homelands of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim speaking peoples and are grateful to be on this territory.

Since 2016, the City of Burnaby has been working toward truth and reconciliation. We are committed to working with Indigenous peoples to find new ways to build and improve relationships between non-Indigenous Canadians and Indigenous communities.

To learn more about the history of local Indigenous people, see our award-winning guidebook, Indigenous History in Burnaby.

Get involved

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30

We’re committed to actively working to advance reconciliation by building and maintaining positive relationships to meaningfully do this important work together – on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and all days.

Indigenous Public Art in Burnaby

Artists bring knowledge and lived experience to their work, and the public art created by Indigenous artists reflects a range of vital practices and perspectives. As the City continues building a practice of supporting Indigenous expression, we invite you to discover Indigenous Public Art in Burnaby.

Jonas Jones, k̓ʷə səlilwətaɬ syəwenəɬ ct - Our Tsleil-Waututh Ancestors, 2023

This artwork was commissioned to honour the relationship between the City of Burnaby and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) and is displayed at Burnaby City Hall.

Red Dress Day

May 5

Red Dress Day, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirited People (MMIWG2S), is observed annually on May 5. This day is marked by a poignant gesture—red dresses hung from trees, windows, fences, and balconies—a symbol of remembrance and solidarity. You can contribute to this meaningful commemoration by crafting your own red dress to hang up.

National Indigenous People's Day

June 21

Recognize and celebrate the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples on National Indigenous People's Day on June 21.

Actions we're taking to promote Truth and Reconciliation

The City of Burnaby has created a new division, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. The role Director, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, manages this division and oversees the development and implementation of a framework for reconciliation in consultation and cooperation with the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim speaking peoples on whose land the City of Burnaby is located, including the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Nations (the host Nations), as well as the urban Indigenous population who live in Burnaby.

Contact [email protected] for more information.

The City of Burnaby is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim speaking peoples and has initiated formal government-to-government relations with the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Nations (the host Nations).

We’re committed to building and maintaining positive and meaningful relationships with host Nations and the urban Indigenous population who live in Burnaby, to understand the truth in Truth and Reconciliation and to advance Reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

City Councillors and Schoolboard Trustees unveil artwork by Coast Salish artist Atheana Picha planned for reconciliation crosswalk

Burnaby’s first reconciliation crosswalk located where Drummond’s Walk Urban Trail crosses Union Street

To acknowledge the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the original stewards of theses lands, the City of Burnaby has established the Matriarch's Garden at Burnaby Village Museum, and developed school and public programs at the Burnaby Art Gallery and Burnaby Village Museum that incorporate and feature Indigenous content. This work has led to creating staff guidelines that inform and actualize territory acknowledgement at City events and in civic documents.

The City has also created an Indigenous Learning House at Burnaby Village Museum. The Museum's educators work closely with host Nations, Indigenous artists, Elders and knowledge keepers to develop Indigenous curriculum and materials for museum visitors. This work also informs other related City processes and programs and has formed a cornerstone of the City's reconciliation efforts.

Burnaby Public Libraries also holds programs featuring cultural teachings like Métis Dot Painting on Grandfather Rocks and Medicine Wheel Lesson. For more library programs visit their event page.

June marks an opportunity for us to acknowledge Indigenous Peoples and to learn about their histories, cultures, languages and ways of life. On June 21, the City recognizes National Indigenous Peoples Day with a community event celebrating Indigenous Peoples history, culture and art.

In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, the City sponsors an annual City of Burnaby Hope and Health Community Camp. The camp promotes ReconciliACTION and is an opportunity to engage our youngest citizens in reconciliation.

The City features regular displays of Indigenous public art and informational displays in the lobby at City Hall, and invests in Indigenous public art throughout the community. The Shadbolt Centre also features performances by Indigenous Peoples throughout the year.

In 2022, the City also partnered with the Burnaby School District to support the efforts of a Grade 6/7 class at Westridge Elementary, who came up with the idea to put reconciliation into action through the installation of a new crosswalk near their school, designed by local Indigenous artist, Atheana Picha.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report Call to Action #57 calls upon all levels of governments to provide education to public servants on the history of Indigenous peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This professional development supports the advancement of reconciliation efforts at a local government level.

In collaboration with host Nations, Indigenous Elders and knowledge keepers, the City of Burnaby is working to implement this work and provide authentic learning opportunities to leadership and staff, to develop cultural awareness, understanding, empathy and cultural safety at all levels.