Learning at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) goes far beyond the classroom. In-depth conversations with peers and with experts about contemporary social and political issues is an integral part of the university experience and a longstanding tradition on university campuses.
Our Breaking Bread series aims to connect students with community leaders, one conversation at a time. We invite diverse community leaders with a wide range of expertise and interests to have conversations with small groups of students. Our hope is to build community, share perspectives, foster connections, and restore community conversations.
We have five unique discussions planned for Fall 2021 that you can join virtually. Spaces are limited so RSVP now to secure your spot.
Oct 6 – Climate Change and Community Planning
Join Dr. Alison Shaw from Simon Fraser University’s Adaptation to Climate Change Team (ACT) for a small group discussion on Climate Change and Community Planning on Wednesday, Oct. 6 between 1. and 2:30 p.m. PST.
Alison Shaw is the new Executive Director of SFU’s ACT Team.
According to the organization’s website, “ACT at SFU is the first university-based think tank in North America dedicated to sustainable climate action and remains the only one focused on a comprehensive suite of climate action research topics, spanning biodiversity, extreme weather, energy, water security, crops, and food supply, sea-level rise, health risks, population displacement, the nexus between water, food, energy and biodiversity, infrastructure resilience funding, green infrastructure, and Low Carbon Resilience (LCR) – the integration of adaptation and emissions reduction.”
To join the Climate Change and Community Planning discussion, please sign up on our event page.
Oct 13 – Is TRU Ready for a Mandatory Indigenization Course?
On Wednesday, Oct. 13 between 1 and 2:30 p.m. join Dr. Tosh Southwick and Dr. Lisa Cooke for a small group discussion regarding if TRU is ready for a mandatory Indigenization course at TRU.
Dr. Tosh Southwick was a key part of implementing a mandatory core competency course on Yukon First Nations’ history and culture for all students, faculty, and staff at Yukon University. Currently, Tosh is a founding partner of IRP Consulting, which supports organizations in responding to the TRC’s 94 Calls-to-Action.
Dr. Lisa Cooke does research and teaches at TRU in the department of Sociology and Anthropology as well as administers the Aboriginal Studies Certificate. Lisa’s research and teaching primarily revolves around Indigenous-Settler relations, contemporary colonial cultural forms, and the anthropology of space and place.
To join the Is TRU Ready for a Mandatory Indigenization Course, sign up on our events page.
Oct 20 – Experiences of Muslim Students in Kamloops
*Please note that this discussion is only open to Muslim students or community members as it is intended as a space for them to share their experiences.
Join the TRU Dean of Business, Mike Henry, and the TRU Dean of Arts, Rick McCutcheon, for a small group discussion around your experiences as a Muslim student on campus on Wednesday, Oct. 20 between 1 and 2:30 p.m. PST
This discussion is different from the other events in this series because rather than bringing an expert on this topic, we are inviting you as a Muslim student to come to share your experiences and have senior members of the TRU community, such as Deans, attend to listen and learn. Given this format, this discussion is only open to students, alumni, or community members from the Muslim community.
To join the Experiences of Muslim Students in Kamloops discussion, please sign up on our event page.
Oct 27 – Mental Health Supports and Gaps at TRU
Join us for a small group discussion on mental health supports and gaps available to students being led by Ashley Broadfoot, a Counsellor at TRU, Pamela Fry, a Wellness Coordinator engaged in suicide prevention education, and Chris Adam, the TRU Dean of Students on Wednesday, Oct. 27 between 1 and 2:30 p.m. PST.
Mental health supports are increasingly important on university campuses, particularly in Fall 2021 as students return to in-person classes after 18- months away. In this discussion, you will have the opportunity to learn about the services offered at TRU, gaps that have already been identified, as well as share your own experience with mental health and services on your campus. This will be a unique opportunity for you to engage with a team of experts on this topic area at TRU from the highest level with Chris Adam, the Dean of Students, to Ashley Broadfoot, who is directly helping students through providing counselling services, to Pamela Fry, who does suicide prevention education on campus.
Nov 3 – The Importance of Vaccinations
Join Dr. Carol Fenton for a small group discussion on the Importance of Vaccinations on Wednesday, Nov. 3 between 1 and 2:30 p.m. PST.
Dr. Carol Fenton is a medical health officer for the interior health region and is based out of Kamloops. Fenton is in charge of overseeing numerous aspects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in our health region and will be well placed to speak to questions or discussions students are interested in having on this issue.
To join the Importance of Vaccinations discussion, sign up on our event page.