It was a unanimous decision by the Board of Governors to move ahead with the construction of a $22-million Indigenous Education Centre at Thompson Rivers University.
The centre will be built at the former location of the Cariboo Child Care Society day care that was in the heart of the Kamloops campus, where an Indigenous blessing ceremony was held in August 2021.
“TRU is committed to Truth and Reconciliation, and the Indigenous Education Centre will provide an inclusive and supportive environment for Indigenous learners, faculty and staff,” says Brett Fairbairn, the TRU president and vice-chancellor.
The building is based on Secwépemc structural designs for meeting houses and was designed by Stantec in partnership with Indigenous architect Patrick Stewart.
It is expected to provide space for Indigenous students, ceremonies, culture and scholarly work.
“This beautiful building will be welcoming to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities,” says Tina Matthew, the executive director of the Office of Indigenous Education.
“We look forward to this space strengthening our collective community.”
The building has been in the university’s long-term capital plan since 2018, as recommended by the Capital Project Planning Advisory Group and approved by Fairbairn.
Consultations were held with Indigenous faculty, staff and students, and consultation has been planned with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc.
Construction on the building is expected to begin in the spring of 2024.
