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Thompson Rivers University 50th Anniversary
Thompson Rivers University 50th Anniversary
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Indigenous TRU

Weyt-k! Welcome to TRU.

At TRU you will find small classes, personal attention and practical learning experiences in every program — all on a beautiful campus in the Secwepemc territory of Kamloops, BC. We create an environment that encourages you to succeed by developing a network of supports and friendships — covering your social, personal and academic experiences. Please join us!

Tina Matthew

Tina Matthew
Executive Director of Indigenous Education

Panoramic view of Kamloops North Shore Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education logo

More than 40 TRU Elders, deans, faculty and staff are the proud recipients of this year’s Alan Blizzard Award from the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. This national award recognizes excellence in their collaborative teaching through the Knowledge Makers, which mentors Indigenous students to success as Indigenous researchers.

Jessy's Story

Even as a child, Jessy Dame knew his future would be tied to health care. With a nursing degree at TRU at hand, this young Métis student is well on his way to fulfilling his calling — but beyond clinic and classroom, Jessy’s time at TRU has also nourished his Indigenous roots, expanded his understanding of the planet and strengthened his capacity to create positive change.



Stories

TRU exchange with Indigenous delegates from Australasia

Different continents, shared stories

Indigenous delegates from New Zealand and Australia shared four days of culture and learning at TRU and in Kamloops in mid-February.

Indigenous trades programs receive funding boost

TRU is receiving almost $2 million for trades programs for Indigenous students in Kamloops, Chase, Lillooet and Williams Lake.

Coyote continues to create change

TRU's program to accelerate indigenization campuswide, known as The Coyote Project, has been extended for three more years.



Traditional Secwepemc (Shuswap) Territory

Kamloops and Williams Lake campuses are both situated on the traditional and unceded Secwepemc (Shuswap) territory.

We acknowledge and give honour to the Secwepemc — the ancestral peoples who have lived here for thousands of years — upon whose traditional and unceded land Thompson Rivers University is located. The Secwepemc maintain a spiritual and practical relationship to the land, water, air, animals, plants and all things needed for life on Mother Earth. It is with that in mind that we owe this debt of gratitude.

There are approximately 7,000 Secwepemc people in the territory, which spans 180,000 square kilometres through the interior plateau of south central British Columbia. The mountain ranges, grasslands and river valleys surrounding the Fraser, and North and South Thompson rivers create the boundaries of the territory.

TRU has one of the largest Indigenous student populations among BC post-secondary institutions, with well over 2,000 students (about 10 percent), representing 16 First Nation and Indigenous peoples enrolled in new, continuing, open learning and trades programs.

In addition to Secwepemc students, Indigenous students at TRU come from several BC nations, including the Carrier, Okanagan, Nuxalk, and Nlaka'pamux, as well as students of Métis and Inuit ancestry.

Thompson Rivers University is dedicated to Indigenous student success, to fostering meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities and to promoting Indigenous knowledges and scholarship. Through collaboration, innovation, respect and humility, the university fosters a welcoming environment that is grounded in the principles of reconciliation and is able to address the calls to action placed on everyone in this country.

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