Thompson Rivers University
Matthew was a founding member and chair of School District 73’s First Nations Education Council, and a member of the First Nations Chiefs Committee on Education. He played a key role in the passage of the historic Tripartite Education Framework Agreement between First Nations, provincial and federal governments which guaranteed First Nations schools the same rights as other educational institutions.
Matthew has strong ties to TRU. He was the university’s first Executive Director of Aboriginal Education from 2006 to 2014, where he provided support for the university’s deepening relationships with its First Nation communities, as well as for the development of a stronger education program for Indigenous students.
TRU’s third Chancellor has been recognized for his service to his community and education, receiving an Honorary Doctorate in Letters from TRU in 2006, an honorary membership in the BC First Nations Schools Association in the same year, the national Indspire Award for Education in 2017 and, in 2018, School District 73’s Owl Award of Excellence in Public Education.
Matthew was chief of the Simpcw First Nation of Chu Chua near Barriere, a position he held for more than 20 years.
His appointment was effective March 1, 2018. He was formally installed during convocation ceremonies on June 6, 2018.
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Thompson Rivers University
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is BC's newest provincial university. It was created in April 2005 when government granted full university status to the former The University College of the Cariboo (UCC), which was established in 1970 as a public post secondary institution. The new TRU has also assumed full responsibility for all courses and programs formerly offered by the BC Open University in Vancouver. With a progressive history as a Community and Technical College and, later, a University College, the new Thompson Rivers University has broad experience in addressing the needs of the community, the work-force and academe. TRU is a fully comprehensive university that offers recognized certificate (completion under 1 year), diploma (completion under 2 years) and full bachelor and masters degree in about 100 technical and academic areas. TRU's reputation for grounded, practical and applied methodology in preparing trainees for the "real-world" work-force is exemplary. As an institution and through its facility and officers, TRU has had collaboration with over 200 countries. Starting in the early 1980's with international education tours and student/staff exchanges, TRU now annually hosts over 800 students from around the world in full and part-time studies. Through its international Education Department, TRU is demonstrating an institutional commitment to initiating, coordinating and promoting collaborative partnerships with friendly countries. TRU is a full member of the Associations of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC).