Cultural society maintains right to control own education

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KAMLOOPS-A 16-year partnership between Secwepemc Cultural Education Society and Simon Fraser University has ended. The parties were unable to reconcile difference in philosophies and approach to delivering post-secondary education, and after months of negotiations talks broke down. The Secwepemc Cultural Education Society was formed to promote Shuswap language, history and culture. It proposed a community-based approach to delivering education and training in accordance with First Nation cultural values. Most of all, the society was adamant it would control any program purporting to pass on these values.

The problem that could not be resolved was centred in the First Nations' right to assert autonomy over First Nations' education. According to a release issued by the Secwepemc, their agreement with the university included a provision that stated: "The university agrees to assist the society in working toward the long-term goal of building a First nations controlled post-secondary institution to serve the First nations people of the Interior of British Columbia." The society complained that after 16 years, little progress had been made to that end and, in addition, "recent changes imposed by SFU have resulted in the university essentially taking control of the program in all respects."

The parting occurred because the Secwepemc do not want to play the role of a "token partner." For more information contact the Secepemc Cultural Education Society at 250-828-9779.