Coyote Story

Three stories set the scene for this initiative.

The story "Coyote Brings Food from the Upper World" tells how Coyote brought to earth the plants that the Secwepemc use for food and medicine, and how animals and fish got their special shape and features. The story closes with Coyote gathering all the people together and reminding them to enjoy the environment where they are, to share what they have, and to not ruin or destroy. "It is your job to care for the land and to protect all living things. You are its caretaker."

In October 2015, the president of TRU rose to close off a remarkable presentation by Justice Murray Sinclair, the head of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We had heard a compelling talk about the findings of the TRC and the need to take up the commission’s calls to action. Dr. Alan Shaver, in responding, would give his shortest speech ever. He said that in his younger days he was a hippie, and he and his friends would say that you are either part of the problem or part of the solution. President Shaver paused slightly that evening, looked around the hundreds there in the Great Hall and said, "Tonight I am saying TRU is part of the solution."

Finally, when TRU was established in 2005, TRU's motto was created in Secwepemcstin: "T7etsxem7nte re stselxmem": To strive ahead.