KKukpi7s, Elders and community members from the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council held ceremony with Okanagan College on Feb. 4 in Secwepemcúl'ecw - at the College's Salmon Arm campus - pledging Me7 elkstwécw-kt - to work in partnership - to better future generations.
From left: Kukpi7 Edna Felix of Splatsin, Kukpi7 Eddy Jules, Skeetchestn Indian Band, Tribal Kukpi7 Darrel Draney, Elder Lucy William, Kukpi7 Lynn Kenoras - Duck Chief, OC President Neil Fassina, Kukpi7 Frank Antoine, Bonaparte First Nation, Kukpi7 George Lampreau, Simpcw First Nation, Sunny Lebourdais of Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band.
With traditional drumming and smudging taking place, leaders from the two organizations signed a unique House of Learning Partnership Agreement declaring Me7 melkwilc-kt, Me7 sequtstwécw-kt, elkstwécw-kt kitsetwecw r cucwell-kt - we will come together, walking side by side, working together, paths joining
"This partnership is an important step toward economic reconciliation in action," said Tribal Kukpi7 Darrel Draney. "By working collaboratively with the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and Okanagan College, we are investing in Indigenous talent, supporting community-driven growth, and creating real opportunities for learners and future leaders. Together, we are demonstrating what it looks like when business, education, and Indigenous governance move forward in true partnership."
Signed by Tribal Kukpi7 Draney, nine Kukpi7s from Secwépemc Nation Bands and the President of Okanagan College, the House of Learning Partnership Agreement states Me7 kitsete t'he7e me7 tsilmes r stem es knucwékse7te xwexwéyt r qelmúcw ne7élye te' wu7éc es secweminte xwexwéyt r tseken te stem r w7ec ne tmicw - we will make decisions that benefit future generations and respect the sacredness of the connections to the land and all living things around us.
Believed to be one of the first post-secondary partnerships to be developed in traditional Indigenous language, the agreement was developed in Secwepemctsín and translated into English by Elder Lucy William of the Adams Lake Band.
Me7 kitsete t'he7e me7 tsilmes r stem es knucwékse7te xwexwéyt r qelmúcw ne7élye te' wu7éc es secweminte xwexwéyt r tseken te stem r w7ec ne tmicw - we will make decisions that benefit future generations and respect the sacredness of the connections to the land and all living things around us, the agreement states.
"I'm proud of the relationship we have with the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and the work that is underway between us as we commit to walk this journey together, to create better learning opportunities for students," said Rhea Dupuis, OC's Director of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. "This historic agreement will allow us to continue to deepen our relationship and move forward in a good way, taking guidance from Indigenous ways of knowing."
Prior to the signing, leaders from both organizations exchanged a commitment symbol - an eagle feather - which will be framed along with the agreement and words of learning of what the commitment symbol signifies.
"An eagle feather symbolizes a profound spiritual connection to the Creator, representing honour, courage, wisdom and truth, serving as a messenger between the individual and the Creator, where prayers are carried and blessing returned, making it one of the highest honours to receive in many First Nation cultures, requiring respect and careful handing," stated Secwépemc Elders Henry Gott and Debbie Sampson in a written submission on the significance of the eagle feather exchange.
The agreement goes on to state Me7 xyestwecw-kt ell r kw'seltktnéws-kt - we will honour each other and our relationships, and Me7 xyestém teks lexléxs - we will honour that knowledge is sacred.
Shuswap Nation Tribal Council of Chiefs Tribal Kukpi7 Darrel Draney along with Kukpi7 Lynn Kenoras-Duck Chief of the Adams Lake Band, Kukpi7 Frank Antoine of the Bonaparte First Nation, Kukpi7 Irvin Wai of the Neskonlith Indian Band, Kukpi7 Barbara Cote of the Shuswap Band, Kukpi7 George Lampreau of the Simpcw First Nation, Kukpi7 Eddy Jules of the Skeetchestn Indian Band, Kukpi7 Edna Felix of Splatsin, Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir of Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc and Kukpi7 Sunny Lebourdais of Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band are signatories to the agreement.
OC President Dr. Neil Fassina signed the agreement on behalf of Okanagan College.
"This agreement is really about honour and respect and walking together with the Secwépemc Nation whose people have been here since time immemorial," said Dr. Fassina "We need to take our guidance from the immense knowledge Indigenous leaders provide us with. As we move forward and work towards the Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation report, embracing Indigenous ways of being is critical. I want to thank the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council for working with us to move forward in a good way."
The House of Learning Partnership Agreement also lays out the goals that will guide Okanagan College moving forward.
The Goals of the House of Learning Partnership:
Acknowledging Place
We acknowledge Okanagan College is located on the unceded lands of the Secwépemc peoples, and we commit to recognizing and honouring Secwépemc culture, customs, and traditions in the College's knowledge transfer, ceremonies, and gatherings.
Acknowledging Place
We acknowledge Okanagan College is located on the unceded lands of the Secwépemc peoples, and we commit to recognizing and honouring Secwépemc culture, customs, and traditions in the College's knowledge transfer, ceremonies, and gatherings.
Developing Relations and Partnerships
We commit to working together to better future generations:
- through the development of long-term relationships, agreements, and actions that understand and recognize self-determination and inherent rights of Secwépemc peoples.
- by working in partnership to collaborate and co-design policy, programs, research, and services that meet the needs of Secwépemc peoples and communities.
- by establishing culturally safe spaces to sit together and establish shared priorities, accountability, and transparency.
Honouring Knowledge
Working together and weaving in Secwépemc ways of knowing into learning and teaching will provide a stronger foundation for all learners and future generations.
We will honour this knowledge and inherent rights by seeking guidance and direction of Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and Secwépemc peoples in areas of protocol, culture, knowledge, histories, languages, food systems, sciences, and technologies.
