KAMLOOPS – Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) students will now be closer to achieving their educational dreams with the new Indigenous Students Awards program announced by Thompson Rivers University (TRU). These financial incentives will be for as many as 16 TteS students per year who are each eligible to receive up to three awards with every award worth $2,500.

TRU recently created a $1 million endowment to support Indigenous Student Awards, with the first awards being available in summer 2022. This endowment is part of the recently signed agreement between the university and TteS and is part of the university’s commitment to supporting Indigenous students in the Kamloops and Williams Lake regions and beyond.

To qualify, students must have completed 30 credits at TRU and/or transferrable university credits and be registered full-time in a campus bachelor or master’s degree program at TRU. Students are eligible for an additional $2,500 award in subsequent undergraduate years and master’s programs for up to a total of $7,500. Students are permitted to apply for up to three awards, including two in an undergraduate and one in a master’s program. Applications for these awards are open in the Spring of 2022 and will be awarded by the summer.

She said, “We look forward to congratulating the future eligible TteS recipients of the awards. Chief and council are proud to support and encourage our members at all stages of their academic aspirations to continue to ‘know your passion, visualize your plan, collect your resources and be determined to succeed!’”

“We acknowledge that Thompson Rivers University is not the first community of researchers, teachers and learners on these lands — the First Nations within each territory are. These awards honour and respect the long histories of learning associated with the places where TRU has now operated for only a few generations,” said TRU President and Vice-Chancellor Brett Fairbairn.

TRU is keen to provide supports for students to encourage them to continue their academic journey and pursue their career aspirations. Casimir and Fairbairn are excited about these new awards and believe they will increase access and supports for TteS students.

Interested students can find more information at https://www.tru.ca/awards.

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University Relations, Thompson Rivers University
Michele Young, Manager, Communications Content
University Relations, Thompson Rivers University
250-828-5361 | micyoung@tru.ca