Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc

In the lead up to the 11th annual Orange Shirt Day and the 4th annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir interviewed Keely Chow, a Tahltan-Tlingit Artist about turning an orange shirt day fundraising idea into reality, and then donating the proceeds to

Kamloops Indian Residential School commemorative activities. Keely worked on the design for the orange shirt with her grandfather Dempsey Bob, a Tahltan-Tlingit artist and master carver of world renown. Although Keely and her grandfather have wrapped up the fundraiser — their decisions serves as a good reminder as to what to look for when you purchase an orange shirt. Keely’s frank discussion as to why she loves working with her Grandfather Dempsey Bob may cause you to feel like there is someone chopping onions next to you in the best possible way!

TK̓EMLÚPS TE SECWÉPEMC / CITY OF KAMLOOPS (September 26, 2024) — The City of Kamloops and Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc are pleased to announce a first-ever joint initiative to commemorate the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation with an event on Friday, September 27, 2024, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Arbour. The event will include engaging activities, cultural teachings, tours of the Kamloops Residential School, and a one-mile Orange Shirt Day Walk beginning at 3:00 pm.

“The City is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc to mark this time of observance, which was established to honour the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools,” said Deputy Mayor Stephen Karpuk. “Only through ongoing collaboration can we continue the work of reconciliation that our two communities have fostered so diligently in recent years. I encourage all residents of Kamloops to attend, listen, learn, and respect the truths shared throughout the event.”

“The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day is an important opportunity to show allyship, honour survivors, and continue the journey of healing and education,” said Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir. As we partner with the City of Kamloops on this significant day for the first time, we express gratitude and together we are proud to serve our communities in unity, ensuring that we lead by example through our shared commitment to the implementation of Truth and Reconciliation.”

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation commemorative event will be free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to wear an orange shirt and comfortable shoes for the walk. To register in advance for a Kamloops Residential School tour, please email events@ttes.ca.

This event is sponsored in part by Heritage Canada.

The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation became a federal statutory holiday in 2021 and is marked on September 30 each year, the historical day of observance for Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led, grassroots observance to raise awareness of the inter-generational impacts of residential schools on individuals, families, and communities. The orange shirt symbolizes the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

Media Contact:

Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir (Chief)
Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc
Email: kukpi7.rosanne@ttes.ca
Phone: (250) 819-2255

Sarah Candido, Indigenous and External Relations Manager
City of Kamloops
Email: scandido@kamloops.ca
Phone: (250) 828-3312