Unveiling the Future: Hamber's Memorable Opening Ceremony

Photo Credit: Tony Chow

After years of construction, and a year-long delay, it was only fitting that the new Eric Hamber opened its freshly-painted doors with fanfare. At the end of the first full week of classes, on Friday Sept. 13, the school hosted an opening ceremony. The event was attended by district officials, alumni, the building’s architects, students, staff, and representatives from the Musqueam Nation.

The ceremony began outside the main entrance, on West 33rd Avenue. Land acknowledgements and opening remarks were given by students and staff, followed by a traditional drumming entrance by Musqueam elders and community members. Audience members witnessed local Indigenous culture, as members of the Musqueam Nation showcased their support and influence in the new school’s design. 

In prepared remarks, Chief Wayne Sparrow addressed the significance of the school’s 16-foot welcome figure, whose hands are raised in a traditional gesture of gratitude and respect. The figure, a female pillar of the school, highlights the role that women play in the matriarchal Musqueam society, explained Chief Sparrow.

Following the various opening remarks, the ceremony moved inside, to a tour of the new school. Stakeholders and alumni toured the building, where Indigenous artwork and new features were incorporated into the building. Much of the colourful design features that line the hallways of the new building were designed by local Musqueam artist Deborah Sparrow, furthering the school’s connection to Indigenous culture.

The event was a joint undertaking by VSB Communications and Hamber’s administration.

“Initially we were told the ceremony would take place on the 6th of September, which was three days after the school actually opened. Then the Board suggested it might be best to push it back a week,” explained Mr. J. Lauzon (Administration). “Initially I was told I would have nothing to do with it, and then I missed a planning meeting and found out that I was actually going to be the emcee, which was nice.” 

Despite this slightly chaotic start, Mr. Lauzon stated that he was grateful to be part of such a momentous occasion for the school’s community. “I was really honoured to have a role in the opening, because I think it's important that the incoming principal be a part of this. I was also very pleased to see that we were including all the stakeholders who had been involved in the project from the beginning,” he said. 

Mr. Lauzon also highlighted the importance of live-streaming the event, online and in classrooms, because outdoor seating space was limited on the day of the ceremony. According to him, the school and its students played a key role in being ambassadors for the new building; they highlighted the importance of “expressing appreciation on behalf of the staff, students, and the community.”

Because of how busy the first few weeks of school are for staff and admin, Mr. Lauzon was happy that VSB communications had taken on the bulk of the work for the ceremony. “They gave me a script, and I went off script a little bit! But the event was short, it was appropriate and I was very pleased with how it was conducted,” he shared. “The feedback we received was positive.”

When asked if there was anything he wished had been done differently, Mr. Lauzon's only regret was that Deborah Sparrow, the Indigenous artist who had designed artwork for the school, was unable to attend. He expressed hope that the school would be able to host her someday in the future.

A few social studies classes were given the opportunity to watch the ceremony in-person, and Ms. R. Cooper (Social Studies) took her Political Studies 12 class to witness the event. 

“I was excited to bring my students because it was a political event, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing that was special and unique,” she explained. “I thought it was a great learning opportunity.”

“I did notice that the presence of youth certainly had an impact on some of the speakers, who were speaking directly to the students at times,” she added. 

Ms. Cooper also shared that she found the most moving part of the ceremony to be the beginning, which was led by Musqueam elders and community leaders. 

“I very much appreciated the first bit, because of how warmly they shared how they show their relationship with each other and the land, and how we were brought into the fold of Musqueam protocols,” she explained. “I felt very welcomed by that.”

There was one thing, however, that Ms. Cooper was still waiting for after the ceremony’s conclusion. “I was hoping we would have a ceremony for all the students, maybe before a formal one for other people,” she said. “Hopefully we will have one in the near future for the whole school, and everyone can participate in learning about all the beautiful new features and Indigenous influence in our new building.”