Traditional Tk’emlúps land blessing for future home of TRU Indigenous Education Centre

KAMLOOPS — Indigenous leaders gathered on the Thompson Rivers University campus Wednesday morning (Aug. 17) to bless land that will become home to a new Indigenous Education Centre.

The traditional Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc blessing launches planning for a facility that is touted to “provide an inclusive space where students, faculty and staff can access support and services at TRU and in the community.”

The centre will be located on the current site of the Cariboo Child Care Society, which is will move to the new Early Childhood Education Centre.

“The TRU office of Indigenous Education is excited to work with university and Indigenous architect Patrick Stewart on the planning phase of the new Indigenous Education building at the TRU Kamloops campus,” said Tina Matthew, TRU’s Executive Director of Indigenous Education. “The site blessing by a local Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc elder ensures we are following Secwépemc protocols, and we are starting this process in a good and respectful way.”

TRU says the project is currently in the planning phase, with fundraising for construction about to get underway.