b'INDIGENOUS SPACESin 1993. The award-winning buildingIndigenous centres and cultural hubs remains an academic, social, spiritualin the countrys campuses is a sign that and cultural hub for the universitysuniversities are finally recognizing this Indigenous students, with Indigenousand taking steps to meet the deeper elements incorporated into its design.needs of their Indigenous students. Constructed with western red cedar logs,Not only do these spaces serve as a it resembles a Musqueam shed-stylefamiliar, welcoming place of gathering longhouse and houses a 3,600-square- for them, they also support and nurture footSty-Wet-TanGreatHallwith carvedbeams.their future professional success. By filling a physical vacuum with inclu-Ultimately, physical space holds a placesive Indigenous spaces, the countrys of significant importance in Indigenousuniversities are taking an important cultures across Canada. The inclusion ofstep toward truereconciliation.Illustration of the National Centre for Indigenous Laws that will be built at University of VictoriaKey to its construction is a focus on envi-ronmental stewardship. Mass timber is being utilized to reduce emissions from prefabricated construction mate-rials and there are considerations being taken to solar orientation. The Bowker Creek watershed is being protected, and wood from some of the larger trees that needed to be removed will be incorporated into the build, while some of the smaller trees have been donated to First Nations communities. Chandos, a construction management company, is working with the Victoria Native Friendship Centre to employ local carpenters and tradespeople, and the excavation subcontractor is Indigenous-owned. Laval, U of T and UVic are not the only universities in Canada that have embarked on major construction builds to address the educational and spiritual needs of their Indigenous students. The University of Saskatchewans Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre is another example of a building integral to the universitys Indigenous students, providing an on-campus location for Indigenous engagement, initiatives and mutual learning.On the west coast, Kelownas University of British Columbia has long had a dedi-cated building for Indigenous students. Its First Nations Longhouse opened Aboriginal BUSINESS REPORT 25'