Secwépemc History Field School

Kamloops Reserve with St. Joseph's Church in the Background Secwepemcstrong.ca

University of Alberta | Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc 

Community-led research is often regarded as the “gold standard” for ethical, robust, and responsive engagement with Indigenous Peoples, but what does this look like in practice? This field school offers an exciting opportunity for students to introduce and immerse themselves in community-led, mutually beneficial research within the instructor’s Indigenous community, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops, BC). Tk’emlúps is one of seventeen communities of the Secwépemc Nation in British Columbia and is fortunate to have knowledge keepers, a cultural centre and archives, centralized band and tribal governance, and cultural education facilities on its lands.

Over four weeks, participants will engage in hands-on community service learning focused on Indigenous historical scholarship. The course begins with a week of classroom preparation, followed by three weeks of living in Tk’emlúps and working on historical research projects in collaboration with the Secwépemc Nation. Through lectures and workshops on Secwépemc histories and community ethics, as well as cultural tours, events, and visits to museums and cultural sites, students will gain insights into the rich heritage of the Secwépemc people from their own perspectives. In line with mutually beneficial research practices, students will present their findings to the community during a thank-you feast.

This course is designed for undergraduate and graduate students interested in Indigenous histories, community engagement, and cultural learning. No prior knowledge is required. This course is open to students at the University of Alberta and other western institutions.

Dates: June 30 -July 31, 2025
Location: Tk’emlúps (Kamloops), British Columbia
Credits: 3 (400/600 level)
Costs: approx. $2,600 (including tuition for Ualberta students); $1,500 (for TRU students)

Contact Dr. Sarah Nickel
snickel1@ualberta.ca