SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 73 (KAMLOOPS/THOMPSON)
The Gathering Kitchen at NorKam Secondary Creates Space for Connection, Equity, and Belonging

On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, NorKam Secondary School celebrated the opening of their newly renovated kitchen space with a dedication ceremony honouring the kitchen's significant place in the school.

The new kitchen has been proudly named Cw'kweltsenellcw re stse7met.s re Kitchen or "The Gathering Kitchen". In Secwépemc language, the name refers to a place for gathering food and preparing it together with a circle of friends who are like family.

For many years, this room has been more than a classroom for NorKam students. It has been a space where some of the school's more vulnerable students have learned, connected, and found a sense of belonging. In 2015, the space officially became a kitchen, beginning with just one oven, one refrigerator, and a chest freezer. Little by little, the school added crock pots, griddles, and small appliances. As the kitchen space grew, so did the hope of growing the program to help nurture more students.

Thanks to Feeding Futures food infrastructure grant funding, the kitchen has now received a much-needed renovation. Starting work just before Winter Break, SD73's Maintenance Department transformed the room into a fully equipped, modern teaching kitchen with two ovens, two freezers, two sinks, generous counter space, kitchen islands, and 17 new cabinets.

With these upgrades, The Gathering Kitchen was reborn.

Last Wednesday, school and district staff gathered with students at NorKam Secondary to officially open the new kitchen and recognized its significance to the school community.

NorKam Teacher Amanda Jensen-LaBar spoke about the heart of this room and renovation project:

"Today is a very special day for NorKam, as we dedicate this space that represents care, community, and connection. This room has always been a place where people can come together. We're very proud to name this kitchen Cw'kweltsenellcw re stse7met.s re Kitchen. In this Secwépemc language, this name refers to a place for gathering food and preparing it together with a circle of friends who are considered family."

Indigenous Youth and Family Consultant Peter Michel offered a blessing for the kitchen and food, sharing wisdom and stories about the importance of fire, food, and gathering in Secwépemc culture.

At his first official school event in SD73, Superintendent Mike St. John highlighted the importance of learning life skills, working together, and trying new things:

"This is more than new appliances and a shiny new space it's about opportunity, creativity, and the beginning of new journeys. Students are going to learn that life is more than a recipe here... it's the skills of not only learning, but the skills of life. The things you learn working together, with and for others, are significant. Don't be afraid to make a mess. Life can be messy and sometimes the best things come out of that trial and error."

NorKam Principal Rachael Sdoutz shared how this new space promotes learning and connection:

"This new kitchen space is a representation of the hearthfire we have in our District Strategic Plan. Here we have students and staff making meals that go out to our student community, and that student community looks forward to all the meals that are prepared here every day at lunchtime. When we break bread together, we come closer together as a community our hearts come closer, our philosophies come closer, and we learn from each other."

At the opening event, students shared how the kitchen has created space for them to discover new interests and passions, build life skills, gain confidence, find a sense of belonging, and successfully move toward graduation. All the students credited Learning Assistance Teacher Ms. Sandra Orlando for helping them discover the strength and purpose they never knew they had.

"I always really liked cooking at home... I started making lunches here and I just loved it."

"Ms. Orlando gave us the confidence to want to be involved in more things at school and help other students."

"I didn't have much interest in cooking before I did this... now that I've done it more with other people, I've come to enjoy it more. It's a good life skill and I really enjoy providing lunches because there's a lot of people that really need it, and it's a really good thing."

For students, this kitchen is more than a room to prepare food it is a place to be seen, to build community, and to give back.

For years to come, The Gathering Kitchen will be a place where friends who are like family can gather to heal, nourish their bodies, and learn about themselves, each other, and the world.

Story provided by Chelsea Isenor, Director of Communications & Board Administration