The above two-word stop sign is one of many seen throughout the TRU Kamloops campus, with the second word meaning stop in the First Nations language of the Secwepemc People. A new course in Secwepemctsin is being offered this semester and is set to begin Jan. 21, 2013. The signs are a recognition that TRU is located on the traditional territory of the Secwepemc People.

Students at Thompson Rivers University will be able to add a First Nations language elective to their course selection this semester.

FNLG 1000, an Introduction to First Nations Language is offered for the first time at TRU and is designed for anyone who would like to learn to speak Secwepemctsin and learn more about Secwepemc culture through learning the language.

Janice Billy, a fluent speaker, is currently teaching the Secwepemc language at Little Fawn Nursery and at the Skl’ep School of Excellence will be instructing the course.  She has an Education Doctorate, having completed her dissertation, Back from the Brink: Decolonizing through the Restoration of Secwepemc Language, Culture, and Identity.

“This is the first course to be offered in the Developmental Standard Term Certificate program designed for those wishing to be considered for certification as a First Nations language teacher,” said Dr. Jack Miller of the School of Education. “We know many will be interested in this opportunity so we have decided to open the course to all students and anyone else who would like to register at TRU.”

Classes will be held on Mondays from 5 pm to 7:50 pm in AE 100. There will also be selected Saturday dates during the semester with the intent of immersing students more fully in the Secwepemc language. Start date is scheduled for Jan. 21. The course is a for-credit course (3 credits) and regular tuition fees apply to all registrants.

Check out www.tru.ca to register.

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For more information please contact,
Dr. Jack Miller, TRU School of Education
(p) 250-371-5906
(e) jamiller@tru.ca