On January 11, 2016, a Musqueam naming ceremony was held at Langara College. Members of the college community joined together with members of Musqueam First Nation in a special ceremony to receive the name snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ (SNO-WAY-ITH LAY-LUM), which means “house of teachings.”
The name alludes to advice that is given to a child that helps to bring them into adulthood in a good way. In this sense, we can think of receiving the name snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ as one marker in our community’s journey towards maturity.
Langara received the name snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ from Musqueam not only because we are located on Musqueam land, but also because we have entered into a relationship of friendship, respect, accountability, and mutuality with the Musqueam First Nation.
On the same day that Langara College received its Musqueam name, the college community was gifted a rock by Musqueam that used to sit within the ancient village site, c̓ əsnaʔəm (SESSNAM), that resided where the college now stands.