A powerful symbol of remembrance and healing—the ceremonial chair first placed at the 2022 National Gathering on Unmarked Burials—has been formally entrusted to Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc. Over the past two and a half years, it has gathered sacred offerings from communities across Turtle Island. The chair will now remain with Tk̓emlúps, who have committed to sharing it with other communities in honour of the missing children.
A fire that broke out Sunday night at the Stswékstem Engineered Waste Management Facility was quickly extinguished thanks to a coordinated effort by Kamloops Fire Rescue, Grassland Organics staff, and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc security. No injuries or equipment damage were reported. The cause is still unknown, and an internal review is underway. Stswékstem Engineered Waste Management Facility remains open for business.
June 13, 2025 – Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc
Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc is working to protect a site on the North Shore where ancestral remains were located on Thursday, June 12, 2025.Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc requests that the site be respected, as it is now considered a sacred site. The site is protected under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the BC Heritage Conservation Act. Any alteration or disturbance to the sacred site is illegal and punishable under provincial law.
Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir states, “Cultural heritage is an important value for TteS and we have a responsibility to ensure that our TteS cultural and traditional practices are being respected. Our people have been here since time immemorial and travelled extensively throughout Secwepemcúl̓ecw.”
Kúkpi7 Rosanne would like to acknowledge the support of the RCMP, who continue to be a great partner and friend. RCMP were quick to communicate with Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and work with us to uphold our mutual commitment to respectful cultural heritage management.
The area is currently under 24-hour security, and we request that the public and media avoid the area to allow Tk̓emlúps to complete important work. We would like to thank and encourage the public to always report potential remains and/or artifacts to the nearest RCMP detachment and Tk̓emlúps. For more information, to report artifacts other than remains, or to seek further guidance concerning archaeological sites you can consult the City of Kamloops Archaeological Sites Bulletin or contact the B.C. Archaeology Branch.
Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir
~ on behalf of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Council
Ten band and community members recently completed a 4 month construction trade sampler. Thank you to Brennen Joseph, the instructor who created this video to highlight the renovation project the students undertook. Commendations to Guy Gottfriedson at Spiyu7ullucw Ranch for allowing us to renovate one of the old ranch houses. This was a community effort!!
YUCWEMINEM NE TSETSITCWS-KUCW SOCIETY
Call for Board of Directors (Voluntary Positions)
Application deadline: Friday, August 1, 2025 at 2:00 pm.
Are you looking for a unique leadership opportunity? Have you been yearning to put your talent in strategic thinking, financial forecasting, organization behavior, project management or policy advocacy in the service of a great cause?
Well, look no further! If you are committed to improving Housing options for Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, we are looking for you!
Yucwemínem ne Tsetsítcws-kucw Society (also referred to as “the YneT Society”) is the not-for-profit organization mandated to lead the development and management of non-profit housing for the Tk̓emlúpsemc, and raise the standard of housing for the community. The organization is mandated to build on strong cultural practices and traditions of the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc. This is an exciting opportunity for skilled and dynamic individuals to contribute to and help shape the Yucwemínem ne Tsetsítcws-kucw Society.
Term length for the Board of Directors is 3 years. The structure of the Board of Directors will include a minimum of 3 Directors, or such other number as may be determined from time to time by the Board, up to a maximum of 9 Directors. The majority of the Directors will be TteS Members.
ROLE PURPOSE:
The members of the YneT Society will be the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Council, and the Board of Directors shall be appointed by Council.
The Board of Directors will receive overall direction from Council and will be responsible for operation of the YneT Society. The Board will be a policy board and will provide input in areas such as governing structure, finance, human resources, tenant relations, operations and maintenance, housing development, and infrastructure.
The Board will report to the Members of the Society and will provide strategic direction to the YneT Society
COMMITMENT:
Board members will be required to attend regularly scheduled meetings as well as being expected to attend the Annual General Meeting, special events, and fulfilling other commitments of the role. There will be a minimum of one annual general meeting per year with the option for additional extraordinary general meetings as the need arises, and Directors will be required to read all documents and materials provided in advance and participate fully in the meetings.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Preference will be given to candidates who possess a professional qualification or experience in at least one of the following areas:
In selecting the Board of Directors, the Council will utilize a matrix selection process to ensure a broad range and diversity of skills, knowledge, experience, and expertise.
Directors will not be remunerated in any capacity as a Director or Officer. However, Directors may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred while acting on behalf of the Society.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit the following for consideration for the position:
Please submit your application to Trevor Cameron, Chief Administrative Officer at trevor.cameron@ttes.ca
Be sure to include “Board of Directors Application” in the subject line of your email.
Deadline for applications is Friday, August 1, 2025, at 2:00 pm.
If you have questions, please email Trevor Cameron, Chief Administrative Officer at trevor.cameron@ttes.ca
We are pleased to share that, as part of its commitment to reconciliation and to supporting the future of aviation and aerospace, the BC Aviation Council, in partnership with Kamloops Airport, has announced the establishment of the Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir Aviation and Aerospace Scholarship.
This significant initiative honours Kúkpi7 Rosanne and highlights her leadership and ongoing dedication to the advancement of Indigenous peoples in various sectors, including aviation and aerospace.
We are making arrangements for backyard landscaping services for the rental units, which the Housing Department is coordinating with P&E Landscapers. To ensure efficient and effective service, we kindly request your cooperation in preparing your back lawn for mowing. Please note that if, on the day of service, the landscaping team finds that a lawn does not meet the necessary standards for mowing, that service will unfortunately need to be skipped, and the responsibility for maintaining that area will remain with the resident.
For inquires please contact Adam at (236) 597-8070
Additionally, we would like to remind you that only the back lawns will be serviced at this time. Therefore, we kindly ask that you also keep the front area of your unit clear of clutter and weeds. Please ensure there is no clutter on the front of your unit, as landscaping services are not scheduled for the front at this time.
Your attention to this matter will help maintain the overall appearance of our community and promote FireSmart practices.
To help ensure a smooth service, we would like to remind you of the following:
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to maintain the grounds.
GARBAGE BEST PRACTICES FOR RENTALS
The designated garbage collection day will be every Thursday. To ensure efficient and timely collection, we kindly request your cooperation with the following guidelines:
GARBAGE BEST PRACTICES FOR HOMEOWNERS
The designated garbage collection day depends on address. If you have questions, please call Public Works 250-319-7803. To ensure efficient and timely collection, we kindly request your cooperation with the following guidelines:
Kamloops RCMP Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2025
Police Presence in Tk̓emlúps
Residents may notice more police activity than usual in Tk̓emlúps this morning, as officers execute warrants at three locations.
This morning, Tuesday May 13, 2025, around 9 a.m., members of the Kamloops RCMP Detachment, in partnership with other agencies, are executing search warrants on Ricardo Road, Chief Louis Way, and the 600-block of Shuswap Road, at two commercial locations and a residence.
The public is asked to please avoid the areas until police officers have cleared. Details related to the presence will be released when available.
REPORT BY TK̓WENEM7ÍPLE7 NIKKI FRASER
Our Natural Resources and Language & Culture teams came together for a trout fishing outing at Armour Creek. This day on the land was filled with traditional teachings, hands-on learning, and connecting to Secwepemcúl̓ecw. It is extremely important to continue using these areas, resources, and passing on the knowledge in order to expand use by our community. Opportunities for spring time trout fisheries is now, at multiple locations in our Territory.
In addition to harvesting trout, the team also took time to clear out parts of the creek at Tkek Yeel Stem to ensure the trout have a clear and safe path to return and spawn, as well as provide an opportunity to harvest. This restoration effort reflects our responsibility to care for the waterways and ensure healthy fish populations for future generations. Greg and Aaron shared teachings about trout habitat, sustainability, and Secwépemc protocols. Secwépemctsín language and cultural stories were woven throughout the day, bringing our traditions to life in real time.
All trout caught were carefully smoked by the Natural Resources and Language & Culture team. The smoked fish has been packaged and will be distributed to Elders at a later date – honouring the Secwépemc value of caring for and providing for our elders
We’re proud of this collaborative effort and grateful for everyone who took part. These experiences help keep our culture strong and ensure our land and water continue to teach, nourish, and sustain us for generations to come. Moments like these strengthen our connection to Secwepemcúl̓ecw, and remind us that our land is not just a resource—it is a teacher, a provider, and a relative. We are grateful to everyone who participated and made this outing possible. Continuing to centre language, culture, and land-based learning in our work is vital for the health of our people, our identity, and our future.
COUNCILLOR NIKKI FRASER
Primary Portfolios:
Natural Resources / Rights & Title / Language & Culture / Archaeology
Secondary Portfolio:
Lands, Leasing & Taxation / Sc.wén̓wen
Nikki is a grassroots member of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS), with strong ties to both the Fraser and Paul Grassroot families. Nikki is proud mom to Trey, Aiyana, and Nipiy. She has worked for TteS in many different capacities since she was 15 years old. Nikki brings experience, knowledge and tools from her volunteer elected roles at BC Native Women’s Association, Native Women’s Association of Canada and the United Nations Youth Envoys office. Nikki is honoured to server her community & membership and continues her passion advocating and upholding TteS Rights and Title.