The ceremonial mace remains an important element of convocation. Historically, the mace symbolizes rank and was used to protect people of authority. The ceremonial mace is now a symbol of the university itself. It is carried by the registrar who leads the academic procession and recession. Thompson Rivers University’s mace was conceptualized and created by artist Ed Jensen, a member of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc who is also a knowledge keeper, hunter and hunting guide.

A piece of green jade, polished until it glows, was carved into Sk’elep, also known as Coyote. Coyote is an important character in Secwépemc stories and while he often got into mischief, his teachings are still shared today. Coyote is the Creator’s son and continued his work in creating a space for humans to live, learn and thrive.

Coyote sits atop a piece of juniper carved with pictographs depicting stories of the Secwépemc people.

Juniper is a powerful medicine for the Secwépemc people. It’s also a prevalent wood in the Tk’emlúps landscape and has been used for millennia to make tools. The pictographs are painted with red ochre to stand out against the wood.

The mace represents the relationship between Secwepemcúl’ecw, Coyote and the land. The wood stands tall in prayer, like trees and the stone base connects it to the land, Mother Earth.