TeamSkú7pecen Intern Program
Essential to the TeamSkú7pecen model and Qwelmínte Secwépemc’s principle of capacity building is the Summer Intern Program, which is the Junior Level in the TeamSkú7pecen model. The internship is open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous students at the university level. Those interns selected become active players for transformation in land and resource management in a manner upholding Secwépemc law, jurisdiction and governance. This unique and multi-faceted intern experience supports their professional growth in a manner which ensures they will become well rounded practitioners of the future who can walk in both worlds.
Qwelmínte Secwépemc has successfully completed six years of its Summer Internship Program. The 2019 Team Skú7pecen cohort included four university students with backgrounds in Anthropology, Environmental Policy, Law, and Political Science. In 2020, the cohort welcomed four new students, each bringing diverse backgrounds and life experiences. By 2021, the program expanded to include nine students from various academic fields, and it introduced a secondment opportunity with our signatory communities. Two interns were seconded to one of our signatories, Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl’ecw, to support and provide capacity across multiple projects. The program continued to grow in 2022, with sixteen interns joining Qwelmínte Secwépemc for the summer. This diverse group, representing different Nations and academic disciplines, brought unique and valuable perspectives to the organization. In 2023, the program maintained capacity with fifteen interns, six of whom were seconded to our Signatory Communities. In 2024, the program continued with six interns, half of whom were seconded to Signatory Communities.
Meet the 2024 Interns + Watch Their Presentations
Haleigh Parker
Haleigh is a proud Ulkatcho First Nations member of the Dãkelh Dené Nation from Anahim Lake, BC, and has been a humble guest in Secwepemcúl’ecw most of her life. Returning as a Stewardship Intern for her third year, she now seconded to High Bar First Nation.
Rooted in her father's teachings about land stewardship, acknowledging the importance of taking care of the land because the land takes care of us, inspired her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Conservation at University of British Columbia. She aims to integrate her teachings of Indigenous Knowledge and Western education to support her work and in time, bring it back to her home community.
Holden Gorospe
Holden Gorospe, originally from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, and currently resides as a humble guest in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. He's in his fourth year at Thompson Rivers University, pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in accounting.
In 2023, Holden participated in the Qwelmínte Secwépemc - Knowledge Builder’s Intern Program, focusing on policy development, particularly in areas like Fiscal Agreements as well as being involved in supporting negotiations. Moving forward to his second year with the Knowledge Builder’s Intern Program and aligning with Holden’s field of study, he will support as a Finance and Administration Intern with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, and having the opportunity to practically apply his academic knowledge.
Joanne Dick
Joanne is a proud Secwépemc woman and a member of the Tsq'escen' First Nation (Canim Lake Band); she is currently studying at Thompson Rivers University. She has just finished her second year in the Bachelor of Arts Program and aspires to pursue a Bachelor of Education Degree and become an Elementary School Teacher.
Her passion is to further educate the upcoming generations as she continues to strengthen her Indigenous identity and learn more about her Secwépemc Culture, Spirituality, and Knowledge Systems. Her dream is to become fluent in Secwepemctsín. She also enjoys drumming, singing and attending Pow wows.
Jordan Setah
Jordan hails from Yunesit’in, part of the Tsilhqot’in Nation, west of Williams Lake. Despite being born and raised in Kelowna within the Sylix territory, she cherishes her roots. As the eldest of five siblings and a proud mother of two, family holds immense importance for her.
Her educational journey commenced at Nicola Vallet Insititute of Technology in Merritt, where she earned a Diploma in Business Administration. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus on accounting at Thompson Rivers University, Jordan balances her academic pursuits with cherished moments spent playing stick games or baseball with loved ones.
She eagerly anticipates embarking on her summer internship with Qwelmínte Secwépemc.
Kayla Hermiston
Kayla was born and raised on the lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc as a humbled guest, she is honoured to live, work, and play within the Secwépemc Nation. She is an active member of the community, and her passions include enjoying the great outdoors and spending time with friends and family.
She will be going into her second year in the Bachelor of Science program at Thompson Rivers University with the hopes to pursue a career as a Medical Doctor in the future, where she looks forward to immersing herself in the ways of traditional and integrative Indigenous medicine. In her role within the Knowledge Builders Program, Kayla works as an intern with Whispering Pines Clinton Indian Band. She is grateful for the opportunity to Walk on Two-Legs and support the work of the Government-to-Government Collective as it holds great significance in our society. Kayla strongly believes in developing a pathway to long term reconciliation for many generations to come.
Trevor Tailfeathers
Trevor hails from Blood Reserve in Southern Alberta, and now resides on the lands of Secwepemcúl'ecw.
Having completed his inaugural year of Law school at Thompson Rivers University, Trevor harbors a profound interest in Aboriginal Law. He holds a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Native Studies.
Driven by a desire to amalgamate his upbringing on a First Nations Reserve with his future endeavors, Trevor envisions a path where he combines his experiences as a retired sworn member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Ret) with his legal education. His ultimate goal is to provide invaluable assistance to Aboriginal individuals navigating the complexities of the Justice System.