Aboriginal Resources and Support

TRU has one of the largest Aboriginal student populations in BC post-secondary institutions. TRU offers services and support designed to enhance Aboriginal students’ chances for a positive post-secondary experience, including: Coordinators for Services for Aboriginal Students at both Kamloops and Williams Lake campuses, a First Nations Student Association, an Elder in Residence program, the Aboriginal Cultural Centre (Cplúlkw’ten –"The Gathering Place”) at Kamloops campus, a similar centre at WL campus, and construction is well underway for the House of Learning that will house TRU’s Aboriginal programs and services at the Kamloops campus. The School of Nursing works closely with TRU Aboriginal services to build on Aboriginal students’ strengths and connect them with academic, personal, social, cultural, and financial supports need to promote their success in nursing.

Working to build and maintain institutional momentum to “Indigenize” TRU and its faculty, staff, and programs, the School of Nursing has made progress in Aboriginal student recruitment and retention in nursing, and cultural safety as a theoretical perspective for working with “difference” in nursing education and practice. All of our work is situated within TRU’s commitment to become the University of Choice for Aboriginal students and First Nations and to honour our 2006 TRU and Secwepemc Cultural Education Society (SCES) Protocol Agreement.