TeamSkú7pecen Intern Program
Essential to the Knowledge Builders Program Model and our principle of capacity building, we have our Summer Internship Program which is open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous students at the post-secondary level. Those interns selected become active players for transformation in land and resource management in a manner that upholds 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, Indigenous and Western, in their work, education and everyday lives.
Qwelmínte Secwépemc has successfully completed six years of its Internship Program where we have seen a wide of array of Nations, backgrounds and disciplines being showcased. Now in our seventh year of the internship program, we are honoured to welcome another eight interns to support the work being done by the Qwelmínte Secwépemc.
Meet the 2025 Interns Cohort
Avery Ferguson
Avery is proudly rooted in her Métis ancestry, with kinship ties to Red River, Lac Ste. Anne, Slave Lake, and St. Albert. While her heritage traces back to Alberta, she was raised in British Columbia on the lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. Growing up, she was always taught the importance of stewardship and connecting with the natural world, learning to ground herself by spending time outdoors and nurturing a deep appreciation for the land. Her hobbies often include hiking, paddleboarding, camping, and beading.
Driven by a desire to learn and grow as an individual, she is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science with a major in Neuroscience at UBC Vancouver. As a member of the scientific community, she hopes to incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing into the field and broaden approaches to learning and research. With aspirations to complete a postgraduate degree in the future, she aims to promote Indigenous values of community, reciprocity, and respect throughout her education and apply her knowledge to expand perspectives in medicine.
As a first year intern, Avery looks forward to contributing positively to the community and supporting work in governance and stewardship. Moving forward, she hopes to apply what she learns here to become a stronger advocate for Truth and Reconciliation within Western institutions.
Cassidy Ashley
Cassidy is a proud Secwépemc woman from T’exelc, as well as Cherokee and Choctaw on her paternal side. She grew up spending lots of time with her family, especially her Xpé7e. She often listened to his guidance and holds his stseptékwlls and teachings close to her heart. Cassidy is deeply passionate about spending time with her loved ones and being out on the Tmícw.
In 2022 and 2023, Cassidy participated in the Guardians Program, where her summers were filled with growth, learning, and empowerment as an Indigenous woman. In 2023, she also represented Team BC in track and field at the North American Indigenous Games in Halifax, on the territory of the Mi’kmaq people. The experience was a powerful one, full of cultural exchange and connection. Cassidy made lifelong friendships and brought those memories and teachings back to share with her fellow guardians and the Qwelmínte Secwépemc team.
Cassidy recently completed her second year of a Bachelor of Science at Thompson Rivers University, majoring in biology. Her future goal is to pursue a career in medicine or law—one grounded in the principle of Walking on Two Legs, which integrates both Indigenous and Western ways of knowing. As she steps into a larger role this summer as an intern, Cassidy is excited to continue growing personally and professionally, deepening her connection to her Indigenous heritage, and expanding her knowledge of Secwepemctsín.
Joanne Dick
Joanne is a proud member of Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation and the youngest of several siblings. She has just completed her third year at Thompson Rivers University in the Bachelor of Arts program. Her goal is to continue into the Bachelor of Education program to become an elementary school teacher.
This year, she is a third-year intern with Qwelmínte Secwépemc, working with the Knowledge Builders program team. She continues to embrace her cultural practices, including drumming, singing, and learning new songs.
Joanne is actively learning Secwepemctsín and deepening her understanding of the language with each lesson. She regularly engages in spiritual practices such as smudging, praying, meditating, and seeking guidance from her ancestors during challenging times.
Her approach to self-care continues to evolve as she rediscovers herself. Today, self-care includes reading, walking, listening to uplifting music, and prioritizing and maintaining healthy boundaries.
Jordan Setah
Jordan is a member of the Tsilhqot’in Nation. Her educational journey began at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, where she graduated with a diploma in Business Administration. She is currently continuing her studies at Thompson Rivers University, pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus on Accounting.
Jordan continues to be a Skú7pecen with Qwelmínte Secwépemc as a second-year intern in the Knowledge Builders Program. She is excited to further her Skú7p journey, continue building meaningful connections, and contribute positively within Secwépemcúl̓ecw. Her diverse experiences include volunteering at TRU events, serving as an Indigenous Peer Mentor, and holding the role of President of The Culture Club—dedicating her evenings to hosting stick games and cultural activities.
Outside of school and work, she also juggles being a momma Skú7p to her son, daughter, and little sister. A die-hard stick games player, she’s always eager for the next game. In the warmer months, you can often find her at the baseball fields.
Roarke Shmoowa Charlie
Shmoowa is a proud member of the Lytton First Nation, with teachings rooted in Nlaka’pamux territory—Stein Mountain and Tl’kemtsin, “where the two rivers meet.” Raised on the territory, he finds a deep connection in wandering the tmícw—the mountains, trees, creeks, and bees. A passionate photographer, Shmoowa has spent over a decade documenting Indigenous ways of life and has collaborated with numerous Indigenous communities to share their stories through visual art.
Currently, Shmoowa is a first-year summer intern with Qwelmínte Secwépemc as part of the Knowledge Builders Program. He is eager to begin this new chapter in his educational journey, with a strong focus on Indigenous sovereignty and how it is expressed and practiced in today’s Western context.
Shmoowa is pursuing his Bachelor of Arts at Thompson Rivers University, where he recently completed the Indigenous Certificate (Class of 2025). His academic interests lie in Indigenous Studies and Anthropology, exploring Indigenous worldviews through both traditional knowledge and academic inquiry. With a background in archaeology—including experience in cultural digs and monitoring—he continues to deepen his understanding of Indigenous knowledge. Shmoowa is committed to working with Indigenous communities and advancing the “Walking on Two-Legs” approach, bridging Indigenous and Western ways of knowing to support a holistic, grounded path forward.
Robyn Stack
Robyn grew up on Treaty 6 in central Saskatchewan in an Irish farming family. She has spent most of her adult life on Sinixt territory and recently moved onto the lands of the Secwépemc Nation to continue her education in natural resource management in collaboration with First Nations.
Her formal education began at Selkirk College in the Recreation, Fish and Wildlife program, which guided her into the forest health sector, focusing on bark beetle management. After eight years of fieldwork, she returned to school to complete a degree in Natural Resource Management. Currently, Robyn is working towards a Master of Environmental Sciences at Thompson Rivers University, with a focus on cross-cultural communication in natural resource management.
Robyn’s future educational goals are to deepen her understanding of different ways of knowing and approaches to natural resource management and to work with First Nations on native species restoration initiatives.
Virginia Fiestas
Virginia is a proud member of Xatśūll First Nation. Raised in Williams Lake, she now resides in Kamloops. She is entering her third year at Thompson Rivers University, pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration with a double major in Finance and Accounting.
When she’s not in school, Virginia spends her weekends traveling to different locations for stick games, reading books at home, or binge-watching TV series. With a wide variety of hobbies, she’s always keeping busy.
In addition to school and her hobbies, Virginia is a proud momma of two sons, one daughter, and two dogs, all of whom she shares with her fiancé.
This is her first year as a Finance/Admin Intern. She’s excited to begin her journey as a QS Skú7pecen and is eager to see where this stepping stone will lead her in the future.
Learn more about the latest Summer Internship Program Through our 2025 skú7pecen Journal
by clicking the link below!
