Indigenous knowledge keeper, educators and scientist among TRU honorary degree recipients

KAMLOOPS — Thompson Rivers University (TRU) announced its five honorary degree recipients for this year’s spring convocation.

In a news release issued Tuesday (April 16), TRU announced Kye7e Cecilia Dick DeRose, Dr. Garry Gottfriedson, Kevin Loring, Dr. Muriel Sasakamoose and Dr. Bruce Damer will be conferred with Honorary Doctorates.

Kye7e Cecilia Dick DeRose of the Esk’etemc First Nation has been nationally recognized as an Indigenous knowledge keeper. She’s a Secwepemctsín teacher, advisor and contributor to language programs, and has been credited with having a massive impact on the healing of Secwépemc communities.

Dr. Garry Gottfriedson from Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc is an accomplished Indigenous poet, author and academic who is passionate about honouring Truth and Reconciliation. He’s a spokesperson for the Secwépemc First Nation. He has worked in education for over 50 years, including 37 years at TRU, as a teacher, advisor, researcher and administrator.

Kevin Loring is a playwright, actor and director from Nlaka’pamux First Nation. He is the artistic director of Savage Society in B.C. and the inaugural artistic director for Indigenous Theatre at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, bringing Indigenous stories to national and international audiences and empowering First Nations artists.

Dr. Muriel Sasakamoose of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc is an educator and advocate for justice and equality. Sasakamoose co-founded the BC Native Women’s Association, was the first Indigenous person to sit on the BC Parole Board, is one of the founding Elders of the Cnukwenten First Nations Court in Kamloops and sits on the Aboriginal Community Justice Council. She also educates the public on Bill C-31 and Secwépemc history and culture.

Dr. Bruce Damer is a multidisciplinary scientist, designer and author. As an astrobiologist at the University of California Santa Cruz Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Damer collaborates with colleagues developing and testing a new geochemical scenario for the origin of life on Earth and a framework for where it might arise elsewhere in the universe.

TRU states an honorary degree is the highest form of recognition offered by the university. It’s awarded for demonstrated excellence in public affairs, sciences, arts, humanities, business, law and philanthropy.

The degrees will be conferred during TRU’s spring convocation from June 4 to 6, 2024.