{1/7} This week’s spotlight shines on Elder Larry Grant, an #INDIGENOUS #HumanRights leader who has worked to promote dialogue while connecting communities and cultures.
Born in Agassiz, #BC, Grant was raised in the traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm ( #Musqueam) people and

{2/7}is of Chinese and Musqueam descent. As his father was Chinese and his mother Musqueam, government legislation and cultural norms at the time prevented the couple from living together on the reserve. #indigenoushistorymonth #IndigenousPeoples #IndigenousLivesMatter #diversity

{3/7} His father was forced to move away and Grant was not allowed to attend a residential school, as because of his mixed-race, Grant was legally considered #Chinese.
After retiring from a long career as a longshoreman, Grant enrolled in what is now known as the #FirstNations

{4/7} and Endangered Languages @UBCFNEL. His studies awakened memories of the embedded value of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language and led him to work for the revitalization of the language through his involvement with the Musqueam Language and Culture Department at UBC. In his most

{5/7} recent role as adjunct professor and Elder-in-Residence, Grant works to build and empower the Musqueam presence on campus by helping Indigenous #students to overcome the impacts of intergenerational traumas, to succeed in their studies, and to take pride in their heritage.

{6/7} “These students were denied identity, self-worth, language, culture, ceremony, connection to family and community.” he explains.
An Honorary Life Fellow for @GreenCollegeUBC, Grant, who now lives on the main Musqueam #reserve in South #Vancouver, continues to inspire and

{7/7} bridge understanding about what it means to move forward while being proud of one’s past.

“We are the first people of this land and that needs to be accepted in a way that brings us into an equal footing so that we have equal voice.” #DiversityAndInclusion #TogetherWeCan