First Peoples’ House is a student service centre for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students at the University of Alberta. We are the heart of the Indigenous student community on campus. We offer programs and services that are designed to help students achieve academic success and personal growth.
In short, we empower our students to become better versions of themselves. We are honoured to be a part of your academic journey.
Learn more about First Peoples' House
Meet our team:
The team at First Peoples' House is here to support you throughout your academic journey. Connect with us for any questions at fph@ualberta.ca.
Elders & Knowledge Keepers First Peoples' House Staff Transition Year Program Staff Assistant Dean
Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers
The First Peoples' House would like to acknowledge our beautiful Elders and incredible traditional knowledge keepers that we are so honoured to have in our circle that support not only the staff but more importantly to our students.
Meet the Elders of First Peoples' House
First Peoples' House Staff
I am currently the oskâpêwiskwew at the First Peoples' House. I will be able to help you with any scanning, faxing and printing needs or if you just want to stop in and chat! Anything you need just come in to see me and I will guide you to the person you need to see! You will always be treated like family here in First Peoples' House so don't be shy!
I love getting to meet new people. Helping others is my passion and I can't wait to help you all succeed in any way I can!
My name is Suzanne Butler and I am the Transition Year Program Associate Director at First Peoples' House. I am from just west of Edmonton and grew up very close to the Enoch Cree Nation. I attended school on reserve for a significant portion of my education, and really wanted to be able to do more to bridge both western and Indigenous learning because I felt that the current education system was not inclusive enough of First Nations, Métis and Inuit history and culture. I decided to pursue a teaching degree, and completed my BEd (Secondary) and later my MEd at the University of Alberta.
I really believe that students will be more successful in post-secondary if they are open to engaging with the campus community and willing to explore the support and services available to them. I am proud of the work we do at FPH and encourage all First Nations, Métis and Inuit students to proudly self-declare their status when they apply.
I think that the Decima Robinson Support Centre for Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, and the Resource Librarians have a huge impact on reducing frustration and confusion when it comes to problem-solving and research….they are really under-utilised supports that can have a really positive impact on academic success.
My favourite thing about living in Edmonton is you really get to experience all four seasons each year, and the campus has a mood that reflects each season. My favourite is spring because students know they will be done studying soon, and the river valley magically turns green in the course of only a few days…it's truly beautiful to witness!
Atamiskâtowin (Greetings)
Shana Dion is nehiyaw iskwew (Cree woman) from Kehewin Cree Nation. It is important that she introduces herself in Cree because it grounds her in who she is, where she comes from and who she is accountable to. It is also vitally important that she thanks her ancestors, kinanâskomitin (thank you) for keeping this land for centuries which is now where the University of Alberta/City of Edmonton resides; a place where we can learn, laugh, play and grow together in harmony. Shana is an Alumni from the University of Alberta, graduating with a Bachelor of Native Studies degree and completed the Indigenous Sport and Recreation Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in 2019. Her career has always been centred in a place of service in particular on mental health and wellness in First Nations communities. Shana feels it is important to be an advocate and role model for Nehiyaw Iskwewak youth. It is essential for her to send the message to Nehiyaw youth that they can be anyone they want to be. She holds the motto that anything is possible and nothing just happens. What she knows for certain is that our Nehiyaw ancestors dreamed a dream bigger than we ever had for ourselves. She now holds a dream for the next seven generations that is bigger than they ever could imagine for themselves.
Her responsibilities as the Assistant Dean, First Nation, Metis and Inuit students are deeply rooted in a holistic way of being balanced in all things. Balance in all aspects of life is essential to our well-being so her message is for you to GET ACTIVE in every aspect of being a student. We are still here for you, just in a different way.