By Aaron Schulze

Kamloops university and local First Nations partner for agriculture education program

May 3, 2021 | 3:15 PM

KAMLOOPS — Indigenous students will be able to receive funding while learning how to run a business using traditional and Western land practices, and food sovereignty.

The Skeetchestn Indian Band, along with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) and Thompson Rivers University (TRU), partnered to create the Applied Sustainable Ranching (ASUR) Certificate. Anyone can apply, but funding is only for Indigenous students, with priority given to Skeetchestn and TteS community members.

The partnership is called Elkstwewc ne tmicw — Working Together on the Land — has been funded $300,000 from the B.C. First Nations Post-Secondary Partnership Program. Students learn skills around regenerative agriculture, and traditional and cultural land use practices. This includes grazing management, riparian management, invasive species, managing soils, biodiversity, and financial and business management.

Rosanne Casimir, TteS Kukpi7/Chief, said building capacity around food sovereignty and land-based learning will help the Secwépemc Nation to be more resilient. Especially the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The traditional foods and medicines of the indigenous Secwépemc people are increasingly being threatened by climate and social crises. In fact, Health Canada reports that Indigenous communities are at three and a half times higher risk of household food insecurity; so, funding to support training will have an extremely positive impact,” Casimir said.

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Elkstwewc ne tmicw is expected to fill gaps in the Skeetchestn community, where the band owns three ranches that are leased out or not in use because there aren’t enough community members with the knowledge or support to make them sustainable and profitable.

“Food sovereignty, or our ability to take control over our food, is so important to make sure our youth do not lose the traditions of the past,” Skeetchestn Elder Terry Denault said. “This program will help ensure our Indigenous practices are incorporated into the teachings.”

Students take the ASUR Certificate offered by distance learning, but also participate in work practicums and workshops with ranches and farms within Secwépemc communities.

TRU said there are still spaces available for three ASUR intakes starting May 3 and Sept. 7, 2021, and May 2, 2022. Interested students are encouraged to apply at least two weeks before the start dates.