Photo: Contributed

Thompson Rivers University is expanding its bachelor of education program by 16 seats in September to help address a shortage of Indigenous teachers in the province.

“Indigenous students are empowered when they see themselves reflected in their teachers, and all students benefit when diversity is embraced and exemplified in their classrooms,” B.C. minister of advanced education, skills and training Melanie Mark said.

“By investing in future Indigenous educators and role models we are working alongside Indigenous nations to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action in the Thompson region and throughout B.C.”

The expansion to TRU’s bachelor of education program is possible through a broader initiative announced by the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training in June that will invest $2.7 million in Indigenous teacher education training across B.C.

This investment is in direct response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 62, which called upon governments to fund post-secondary institutions to educate teachers on how to integrate Indigenous knowledge and teaching methods into the classroom.

“TRU is pleased to offer this opportunity to Indigenous students. We know that inequities and under-representation exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in many ways, including in education, and this is one step forward in addressing this issue,” TRU president and vice-chancellor Brett Fairbairn said.

TRU is receiving $340,000 for the Indigenous education seats, which will see students enter the two-year bachelor of education program in September along with other students. An elder and a mentor will support Indigenous students as they progress through the program, with the guidance of Roxane Letterlough of the St’at’imc Nation as cohort co-ordinator and instructor.

In addition to the Indigenous education seats, TRU is one of eight institutions receiving $50,000 to help integrate Indigenous knowledge and culture into B.C.’s education curriculum. To this end, TRU will be working collaboratively with School District 73 officials on curriculum development and related initiatives.

Individuals interested in enrolling in TRU’s bachelor of education program and/or have questions specific to enrolling in the Indigenous education seats can contact TRU’s education advising office by email at [email protected].