News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

The Aboriginal community at Thompson Rivers University’s Williams Lake campus now have more support to help them succeed at their post-secondary education with today’s opening of a specially-designed gathering place, announced Donna Barnett, MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin. 

The traditional gathering place provides a welcoming environment for students to meet and study, and to display art celebrating First Nations and Aboriginal culture. As well, the gathering place will become the centre for TRU’s Elders Council program, which provides support for Aboriginal students. 

“This government is maintaining its commitment to help Aboriginal students start, stay in, and succeed at school,” said Barnett. “Thompson Rivers University is supporting that goal by ensuring welcoming gathering places are available for students and the Aboriginal community.” 

The Province invested $300,000 in the new octagonal pit house-style gathering place that is partially set into the ground and has a conical living roof, planted with natural grass sod in the manner of winter pit houses once used by Interior Salish peoples, including the Southern Carrier Nations, the Tsilhqot’in Nation and Northern Secwepemc. Inside, natural light fills the open space through skylights and windows. The building, which is registered for LEED designation, is wheelchair-accessible. 

“Government’s investment in this and other gathering places confirms our commitment to improving the quality of life and educational experiences of Aboriginal students,” said Moira Stilwell, Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development. “This special gathering place at the Williams Lake campus will help TRU’s Aboriginal students achieve their goals for the future while keeping them in touch with their roots.” 

As well as the gathering place, students from the area’s 15 bands have access to TRU’s Learning Centre and Weekend University at the Williams Lake campus. The flexible program-delivery models provide Aboriginal students with access to hundreds of on campus and Open Learning courses and programs that cover a wide range of choices, including health, trades and business. Student-focused services are designed to enhance students’ educational experiences, culturally, socially and academically. 

”TRU is pleased to have worked with the provincial government to build this beautiful gathering place that is a key part of the university’s efforts to recognize and honour our presence in the traditional territories of a number of First Nations,” said Roger Barnsley, president of Thompson Rivers University. “The structure will also substantially increase the visibility of traditional and contemporary Interior Salish culture and society on the campus and in the community.” 

Aboriginal gathering places are designed to decrease isolation and enhance support for Aboriginal students by building structures that reflect Aboriginal culture and history. TRU’s gathering place is one of 27 being created at public post-secondary institutions across B.C. through a $13.6-million investment by the Province. 

“Today we are also recognizing that Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing are an important part of the learning that happens at universities,” said Nathan Matthew, TRU Director, Aboriginal Education. “This knowledge is essential for us all.” 

“This gathering place recognizes and honours the culture and traditions of the Interior Salish people,” said George Abbott, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. “Providing a safe, welcoming space for Aboriginal students to gather supports government’s commitment to close the higher-learning education gap so that Aboriginal people and all British Columbians can participate equally in the social and economic fabric of the province.” 

Improving quality and choice in education is a key pillar of the Province’s Pacific Leadership Agenda. The gathering places funding also supports the government’s commitments, through the Transformative Change Accord and the Métis Nation Relationship Accord, to close the gaps by 2015 in education, health, housing and economic opportunities.

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