Faculty and staff have an opportunity to come together and learn the basics of Secwepemc language—introductions, greetings and pronunciation—and culture.
TRU is offering free one-hour long Secwepemctsin classes to all faculty and staff for a third time starting on Tuesday, June 6 at 1 p.m.
The university is situated within Secwepemculew—the land of the Secwepemc. Learning the language of the First Nations on whose traditional territory TRU is situated is beneficial to respectful engagement.
These classes are geared toward TRU employees; however, one faculty member’s son will be attending. Classes have also been offered to the local school district’s teachers and staff—free of charge—and with high enrolment. TRU also offers more intensive introductory Secwepemctsin and introductory Statimc classes in fall and winter semesters for the public.
“First Nations language and culture are synonymous; when you learn one, you learn the other. The First Nations culture is a way of knowing and being,” said June Kelly, Aboriginal language coordinator. “You will come to understand the uniqueness of our ways and thinking in a culturally safe atmosphere.”
“I hope students will come away with a new respect for the culture and language of the Secwepemc people of this territory and that they feel safe to ask questions. We want to offer a culturally safe environment for the learners. Our Elder and language instructor, Mona Jules has been an advocate for the revitalization of Secwepemc language and has been teaching Secwepemctsin for over 30 years to different audiences,” added Kelly.
“Secwepemctsin is a challenging language for people who speak western European languages only,” said Brad Morse, dean of law. “This course was wonderful as it was taught in a friendly, welcoming way in which we were encouraged to try to speak and spell the language without embarrassment or being shy. Participating with a diversity of TRU staff also meant that we met others who work here while we were all starting truly as beginning speakers, like very young children. Living in Kamloops and working at TRU gave us opportunities to practice what we learned and feel that we were respecting the land and its original people to some degree by learning the original language of this place.”
Bonnie Scherrer, academic and administrative coordinator for the Faculty Education and Social Work, has also taken the classes.
“The classes were a wonderful introduction to Secwepemctsin and Secwepemc culture, and our instructor was so knowledgeable, welcoming and patient,” she said. “The revitalization of First Nations languages and culture is vital work, particularly in this time of response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action. The classes offer a unique and meaningful opportunity to participate in these efforts at TRU—taking them was a powerful experience.”
If you are unable to attend these sessions but want to know more, First Voices is a great resource for basic to advanced Secwepemctsin words and phrases.
Courses will continue to be offered into the future.
Learn more about the next six classes.
For more information:
June Kelly
Aboriginal Language Coordinator
Faculty of Human, Social & Educational Development
250-852-7663
Jukelly@tru.ca
