KAMLOOPS – Thompson Rivers University’s Open Learning division will recognize the achievements of a national leader in aboriginal education with an honorary doctorate in letters to be bestowed in Burnaby in June.

Nathan Matthew has distinguished himself for the past 30 years in First Nations government and education, and has been key to developing educational and business capacity within his community, the Secwepemc Nation, and other provincial and national organizations.

Nathan Matthew, a member of the Simpcw First Nation, was born in Kamloops February 5, 1949. He attended Barriere Secondary, where he was Student Council President in grade 12, and graduated in 1966. He then attended the University of British Columbia, where he graduated with bachelor of recreation education degree in 1972, then went on to earn another bachelor’s degree, education professional, in 1978.

He was first elected Simpcw chief in 1976/77, then served in that position again for the period 1985-87, and then again took office for a 17-year period, from 1989 to 2006. During his tenure as chief, Nathan Matthew initiated many community-building initiatives. They include community planning sessions to direct the band council in community developments, a community First Nations School, a sawmill, a forest license, a custom election process, the establishment of the Simpcw Development Corporation to expand economic opportunities in forestry, the transfer of health programs from government to the community, successive five-year agreements for band funding, the construction of 90 new homes plus a six-unit elder’s home on the reserve, a volunteer fire department and fire hall, and an expansion of band employees from about six to over 50.

Education has been a priority for Nathan Matthew throughout his professional career, and he has been called the education chief of Canada. He was a founding member in 1985 and then continuous chair of the First Nations Education Council for School District #73, and initiated the signing of the first five-year Education Improvement Agreement, and followed it up with an Enhancement Agreement.

He was elected chair of the Chief’s Committee on Education for the Assembly of First Nations in 1998, holding that position for ten years, until 1998, and then taking it up again from 1999 to 2006. Initiatives carried out during these periods include securing funding for and participating in policy development for First Nations Schools, special education and post-secondary programs, and working in cooperation with the federal government in First Nations education jurisdiction and systems planning.

Nathan Matthew was also First Nations representative to the provincial Education Advisory Council from 1989 to 2005, political advisor and negotiator for the First Nations Education Steering Committee from 1992 to the present, signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding with provincial and federal education partners to work on behalf of First Nations students, and First Nations signatory to the Education Jurisdiction agreement.

He was first elected tribal chief of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council in 1993, and served in that position twice, from 1993 to 1996 and after taking time to work toward a master of education degree at UBC, completed in 1990, again held the position from 2002 to 2006. During his tenure as tribal council chief, Nathan Matthew instituted regular tribal unity meetings, strengthened the tribal council by increased membership from five members to eight, and spearheaded the development of the Secwepemc Title and Rights Consultation and Accommodation Policy to guide resolution of land title issues.

Nathan Matthew was also a founding member of the profitable Secwepemc Economic Development Corporation, which has been able to financially contribute to Secwepemc cultural and community programs. He was elected president of that body in 2003, and during his tenure, negotiated a timber licence which has brought economic benefits shared by band members.

He was also a member of the negotiating team that developed a peaceful solution to the Gustafson Lake standoff.

Nathan Matthew was presented with the All Nations Trust Company Aboriginal Business Person Award in 2001 and was made an Honorary Lifetime Member of the First Nations Schools Association this past April.

Nathan Matthew, in his role as planner, strategist, relationship-builder, supporter and spokesperson for First Nations has provided consistency and stability to his community and other aboriginal organizations. His belief in the potential of and his efforts in demonstrating the capacity for First Nations self-determination has make him an important voice for First Nations aspirations.

The university will bestow Mr. Matthew’s degree at its Celebration of Learning, to be held at 7 pm, June 15 at 4355 Mathissi Place in Burnaby.

Photo available: please contact Bronwen Scott at 250-371-5739 or email: bscott@tru.ca

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Nathan Matthew at 250-851-6054
Dr. Colin James (TRU Open Learning) at 250-828-5402 or 604-431-3168