Thompson Rivers University (TRU) agrees to develop programming and services that will benefit the St̓éxelcemc people with the signing of a partnership with Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN).
On Sept. 9, the university's president Brett Fairbairn and WLFN Chief Willie Sellars met to formally acknowledge years of collaboration between TRU and WLFN. They plan to continue working together to enhance the post-secondary experience for Indigenous students by developing programming that will involve Secwépemc ways of knowing and language revitalization.
It’s all part of the university’s commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, said Fairbairn who presented a carving of a wolf by Spirit Carver Dean to Chief Sellars. “This signifies an especially close and lasting relationship...and we are deeply honoured by the occasion,” he said.
The university says the partnership could lead to greater financial assistance and mental health support for Indigenous students and will improve rates for Indigenous student enrolment and success.
