TRU is the home campus to representatives of Aboriginal Nations from across Canada.

As such, the TRU Aboriginal Community invites you to join in the TRU Aboriginal Awareness Celebration from March 14th to March 17th.

Learn about the fascinating array of Aboriginal Nations including Secwepemc, Tŝilhqot’in, Carrier, Nuxalk, Cree, Ojibway, Okanagan, Sekani, Inuit, and Metis.

Each indigenous nation has its own distinctive language and culture, with rich and compelling histories to learn more about.

Some of the exciting events to look forward to:

Opening Ceremony: Monday, March 14 – 10am-10:45am
Location: Outdoor common area of the CAC

Opening with a prayer and a welcoming by a local Secwepemc Elder, participants will have the opportunity to engage in a traditional smudging ceremony and begin the week with a friendship dance. The young Sta’a ailes traditional drummers and dancers will serenade the crowd with their talents.

Leading a song in the photo above is Justin Young (middle), who describes himself as an Ojibway Warrior of Peace. Pictured with him is Crystal Cote (left, with black & red bag) and Heather Morin (wearing purple).

Arts & Crafts: Monday, March 14
Location: CAC Room 130
Pine Needle Basket-Making: 11am-3:30pm
Dream Catchers: 1:30pm-3:30pm
Beaded Bracelets: 1:30pm-3:30pm

This is an amazing and rare opportunity to learn three different Aboriginal arts and crafts. All you have to do is show up and be prepared to learn the significance of your choice of craft.

Secwepemc Museum Display: Wednesday, March 16 – 10am-2pm
Location: Art Exhibition Showcase Room, Old Main

This unique display and tour from the Secwepemc Museum will give onlookers a glimpse of the life of the Secwepemc before European contact. Bring questions, as the museum guide is more than happy to share more about the Secwepemc pre-contact life.

Aboriginal Perceptions: Tuesday, March 15 – 1pm-4pm
Location: CAC, room 209

Understanding historical and contemporary Aboriginal peoples is an essential part of living on Turtle Island. You are invited to ask questions and engage in discussions with three respected presenters to learn more about Aboriginal peoples.

Eye Spy a TIPI: March 16 & 17 – 10am-4pm
Location: TRU Campus

There will be a tipi set up on campus. It’s up to you to spy it! Passersby are welcome to take photos of the tipi, which is representative of the plains tribes. Each tipi pole represents its own value: Obedience, Respect, Humility, Happiness, Love, Faith, Kinship, Cleanliness, Thankfulness, Sharing, Strength, Good child rearing, Hope, and Ultimate Protection. All of these values are the pillars of family and represent strength.

TWO SPIRITED, Let’s Hear It! Decolonizing Gender and Sexuality in Tk’emlups: Wednesday, March 16 – 9am-11am
Location: CAC, room 209

This seminar is meant to explore various ways of knowing gender and sexuality from across Turtle Island. It is also meant to confront stereotypes by highlighting the fact that the Two-Spirit identity differs from the dominant hypersexualized constructs of identity from within the LGBTQ community, thus making the personal into the political.

Ethnobotany: Thursday, March 17 – 9am-12pm
Location: CAC, room 209

This workshop will help you to recognize local medicines, as well as teaching you how to use them. Ethnobotany helps us to understand the relationship between plants and culture.

Introduction to Secwepemc Language: Tuesday, March 15 – 9am-11am
Location: CAC, room 209

An introduction to the Secwepemc language for anyone who wants to learn the basics. The instructor, Carl Archie, is a Secwepemc from Tsq’escen’ (Canim Lake Band).

TRU Honoring Our Elders Luncheon: Wednesday, March 16 – 12pm-2:30pm
Location: CAC, Grand Hall

It is an annual tradition of TRU’s Aboriginal Awareness Week, sponsored by the Aboriginal Education Department, to honour and celebrate the elders of TRU’s surrounding nations to exclusively come to TRU and enjoy a catered lunch, entertainment, and fun.

Story Teller Gala: Thursday, March 17 – 12pm-4pm
Location: CAC, Grand Hall

This event is geared towards celebrating TRU students, where participants can enjoy a meet-and-greet over lunch, followed by a feature story on the Hopi Prophecies by special guest Dr. Lee Brown. This week’s events will close with a performance and cultural sharing of Powwow Drummers and Dancers who are students of TRU.