Diyame, Aboriginal Services

Diyame Derrick Caterer

Indigenous Student Services Coordinator, Salmon Arm & Revelstoke Centre
dderrickcaterer@okanagan.bc.ca
Office Salmon Arm Building 184A
Salmon Arm Campus
250-762-5445 ext. 8275

She:kon, I am Mohawk/Irish (maternal) and English/Scottish (paternal). My traditional teachings are from the Nlaka'pamux Nation (Lytton, BC). I have kinship ties with both the Splatsin and Adams Lake Bands.

I have worked in Indigenous Education since 2008 for both School District 73 (Kamloops) and 83 (Salmon Arm), most recently as the Indigenous Education Worker at Salmon Arm Secondary; Sullivan campus for the past eleven years.

I have been immersed in Indigenous education for most of my life, through the work that my father did developing the NITEP program in the 1970’s. My mother, who is a psychologist, works from the Indigenous worldview/perspective and has worked with Residential School Survivors for approximately 35 years. I had the privilege of supporting her clients while I ran her office for seven years and was witness to several IRS Hearings and supported survivors as they experienced the Statement of Apology to former students of the residential schools live, in 2008.

My two beautiful children are Splatsin Band members and the centre of all that I do. My parents and Aunties are my mentors and my guides in everything that I do. I rely on my traditional teachings daily, as well as my wonderful husband.  

I am so excited to be here at Okanagan College and continue to support Indigenous students to create powerful foundations for themselves, their children, their families and their communities.

Nia; wen