A Hub for Indigenous Students and Studies
The Gathering Place promotes Indigenous inclusion, learning opportunities, ways of knowing and being as well as community and relationship building.
The facility provides a quiet project room, a small kitchen, an Elder’s office/private meeting space, and a large circular gathering space dedicated for ceremony and special events and classes. The Gathering Place functions as a hub for Indigenous students and Indigenous studies at Selkirk College, similarly to how the Mir Centre for Peace is dedicated to building and understanding cultures of peace through learning and dialogue.
Booking and Usage
For the 2020/21 academic year, the Gathering Place occupancy has been reduced to 10 people to maintain physical distancing. Public events on campus will not be able to occur. We apologize for the inconvenience for physical event restrictions, yet, we can accommodate zoom/virtual sessions in the Gathering
Place.
To book the Gathering Place please use our form.
History
May 24, 2012 was the official opening of the Gathering Place with over 100 invited guests in attendance including members of the Ktunaxa Nation Council, Okanagan Nation Alliance, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Métis Nation of BC and the Sinixt Nation Society.
Various speakers representing Indigenous governments, spoke of the critical need to make post-secondary education more accessible, welcoming, and respectful of Indigenous learners and their cultures. This unique and beautiful space was made possible through collaborative partnerships. Selkirk College raised $150,000 in a Complete the Circle campaign along with other partners who shared in our commitment to creating an inclusive space for Indigenous learners. In addition to Selkirk’s campaign, we received $600,000 from the Provincial Government's Gathering Places Capital Fund, $200,000 from Columbia Basin Trust and $50,000 from Teck Metals.
Policy
- View the Gathering Place Policy number 4150 among Selkirk College's policies published online.