Celebration lauds Kamloops program grads

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Marianne Ignace, Kamloops, 250.828.9799
Marianne Meadahl, PAMR, 604.291.4323

Elders from two First Nations will honor the accomplishments of SFU student Joyce Thevarge during the annual convocation ceremony at Simon Fraser University Kamloops, in partnership with the Kamloops Indian Band, on Friday, Sept. 15 at 2 p.m.

Thevarge is from the Nq’uatqua First Nation near Mount Currie and is the first student to graduate with proficiency in two aboriginal languages — her own language, St’at’imcets, and Secwepemctsin (Kamloops).

She is one of 21 students who will receive degrees, diplomas and certificates at the ceremony, to be held at the Sk’elep School of Excellence, Chief Louis Centre, on the Kamloops Reserve.

The ceremony will be attended by SFU senior administration and faculty, the chief and council members of Kamloops Indian Band, the co-chair of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council, Murray Coell, minister of advanced education and minister responsible for research and technology, as well as elders and other First Nations representatives.

Besides the awarding of degrees and certificates, the celebration will include First Nations drums, songs, prayer and speeches honouring the students.

More than 350 students have graduated from the Kamloops-based program since its inception in 1988. The program provides access to university education for aboriginal students and their communities with a focus on First Nations studies, social research skills, aboriginal languages, and archaeology.

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