On this National Truth and Reconciliation Day, The Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation (VJKF) honors the survivors of residential schools, their families, and the many Indigenous communities that continue to heal from the trauma of this dark chapter in Canadian history. We acknowledge the painful legacy of the residential school system, which sought to erase Indigenous...

In a ceremony overflowing with significance and promise, Thompson Rivers University (TRU) celebrated the formal installment of DeDe DeRose as its esteemed Chancellor. The event, held amidst the serene backdrop of TRU’s Kamloops campus, marked a pivotal moment in the institution’s history, symbolizing a renewed commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and Indigenous empowerment. DeDe DeRose’s ascension...

COCHRANE, AB, April, 2023.  Governor General Mary Simon grants Viceregal Patronage to the Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation. Her Excellency and the Foundation have a history of serving and supporting Indigenous Peoples in Canada and now look forward to building this new relationship on their mission ahead.  The Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation works to...

KAMLOOPS, BC, June 28, 2022 — On the territory of the Tkumlups te Secwepemc near the Kamloops Indian Residential School, where unmarked graves were found in June 2021, the Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation Board Chair, Tony Williams, announced the termination of the relationship between the Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation (VJKF) and the Sisters...

Cochrane, Alberta, January 25, 2022 — The Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation is pleased to announce Amber Boyd as the new Executive Director for the foundation. Amber holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, a Human Resource Management Certificate and a Creative Writing Certificate from the University of Calgary. She is a Registered Professional...

The Verna J Kirkness Education Foundation announced today the appointment of Laura Buller to the Foundation Board of Directors. Laura Buller graduated in 2014 with her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Winnipeg’s Community-based Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (CATEP). She is currently a high school support teacher in the Winnipeg School Division, working...

The Verna J Kirkness Education Foundation announced today the appointment of Mark Whitmore to the Foundation Board of Directors. Dr. Whitmore holds degrees in Mathematics and Physics from McMaster University. He was a faculty member at Memorial University of Newfoundland from 1977 to 2014, where he also held a variety of academic administrative positions. He moved...

Sept 29th, 2021 – The Verna J Kirkness Education Foundation is dedicated to providing support to Indigenous youth to pursue education in science engineering and medicine. We join our donors, volunteers, students, and partner universities in supporting this day on behalf of all Indigenous Canadians.   The designation of September 30th as a day of reflection...

The Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation announces the retirement of the Foundation’s founder, Dr. Ron Woznow.In 2008, while Chief Executive Officer of the Advanced Food and Materials Network, Ron established the Family Food Research Foundation (Foundation). The mandate of the Foundation was to create educational opportunities. In 2009, eight Indigenous high school students from across...

Thomas Berger, a distinguished lawyer and supporter of Indigenous rights, passed away in Vancouver on April 28th at the age of 88.  Tom Berger and his wife Bev have been strong supporters of The Verna J Kirkness Education Foundation and he will be missed by all the Foundation community.  In the words of Verna Kirkness “we have lost...