Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc

On behalf of Council, I just wanted to provide you an update on what Council has been doing to follow up on the recent, heartbreaking findings at the Kamloops Indian Residential School. This was but the first week of what will be a long and emotionally challenging process. Chief and Council are committed to providing regular updates to our membership.

For Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Council and I, as well as what we have heard in community, ceremonies, protocols, and justice are top of mind for all. This is only the beginning.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the grief that we have all felt. This is traumatic and each and every one of us have been impacted by residential schools. It is time to be gentle with ourselves as this brings up so many emotions and hurts. I know that I am reaching out to my loved ones and encourage you to do the same.

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There has been an outpouring of support for our community. Thank you for helping us bring to light such hard truths that came from the preliminary findings regarding the unmarked burial sites of Kamloops Indian Residential School students so that we may begin the process of honouring the lost loved ones who are in our caretaking. Many have asked how they can support Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc. The document below offers some suggestions

How to Support Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (PDF)

5 pm, May 31, 2021, Kamloops – As the last logs go on our sacred fire, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of support to our community. Thank you for helping us bring to light such hard truths that came from the preliminary findings regarding the unmarked burial sites of Kamloops Indian Residential School students so that we may begin the process of honouring the lost loved ones who are in our caretaking. We love, honour, and respect these children, their families, and communities.

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May 27, 2021, Kamloops – It is with a heavy heart that Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir confirms an unthinkable loss that was spoken about but never documented by the Kamloops Indian Residential School. This past weekend, with the help of a ground penetrating radar specialist, the stark truth of the preliminary findings came to light – the confirmation of the remains of 215 children who were students of the Kamloops Indian Residential School.

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Starting now and throughout the summer you will see Statistics Canada staff on Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc Lands. The Census is Canada’s storyteller. Every five years, data is collected about every household to understand how Canada is changing over time. The data collected is used for planning and policy development in many areas.

Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc Lands is its own Census Subdivision. That is great news for Ttes! That means we can use the census data to better understand the dynamics of those that live on Ttes Lands. Ttes can use census data to support our own decision-making on government services, and in negotiations with other governments.
When you do the census, you ensure that your situation is accounted for.

If you did not complete the Online questionnaire you received one of the following Indigenous Enumerators will be going door-to-door to help each household complete the Census Survey.
Enumerators will be wearing red vests and name tags, and are required to follow COVID-19 Safety Proto-cols:

• Two masks
• Social distancing
• Frequent hand sanitizing
• Not allowed to enter your home

 
Crew Leader Rae-Anne can be contacted at 250-574-6069 if you have questions.

Approximately 67% of residential accounts on Tk̓emlúps reserve land have NOT registered for the BC Hydro GST exemption. Register today and SAVE MONEY!

Tax Exemption

• First Nations residential account holders living on-reserve and with a Certificate of Indian Status card are eligible for a GST exemption on their BC Hydro bills.
• The primary account holder must be the person named on the status card, and a scanned or photographed copy of both sides of the account holder’s status card is required to verify GST exemption.
• First Nations Bands, Tribal Councils or Band Empowered Entities may also be eligible for GST exemption. To ensure the correct taxes are being charged, please call Customer Service at the number below.
• BC Hydro is required to collect GST if the First Nation has implemented First Nations GST on their reserve lands.

Refunds for GST payments

• BC Hydro will credit up to two (2) years of GST charged to exempt customers.
• If you have been charged GST longer than two years, you will need to contact the Canada Revenue Agency for any remaining GST refund (i.e., beyond 2 years) and submit Form GST189.

To apply for GST exemption or to find out more information:

• Please call BC Hydro Customer Service at 1-800-224-9376 between 7am-8pm M-F, 9am-5pm on Saturdays.
• The status cards can be scanned and sent by email (scan@bchydro.com) or mailed to PO Box 8910 Vancouver, BC V6B 4X3.
• Additional information on customer service rules, taxes, etc. can be found on the BC Hydro website at https://app.bchydro.com/accounts-billing/bill-payment/customer-service-rules.html

Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) students will now be closer to achieving their education dreams with the new Indigenous Students Awards program announced by Thompson Rivers University (TRU). These financial incentives will be for as many as 16 TteS students per year who are each eligible to receive up to three awards with every award worth $2,500.

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On behalf of Council, Kúkpi7 provided an update on the results of the voting on the changes to the Custom Election Regulations.

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After the count was completed, all the proposed amendments were passed. The biggest changes our amendments now allow are:

1. Both on reserve and residents of the TteS traditional territory are eligible to run for Chief and Council.
2. Electronic voting is now allowed.
3. Variances to the Custom Election Regulations can be made during a state of emergency (for example to comply with Provincial Health Orders).
4. Elections can now still take place during a State of Emergency, using electronic voting.

Many of the other amendments were technical amendments. These changes will prepare us for an election this fall.

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Packages have been sent out to membership with information on the upcoming Amendment Vote. The contents of those packages are available here, along with the full Custom Election Regulations with all proposed amendments included as tracked changes for anyone who wishes to review the document as a whole. If you wish to be sent a hard copy of the Custom Election Regulations with tracked changes, please contact Veronica Seymour at 250-828- 9837 or veronica.seymour@kib.ca.

RED DRESS DAY — Kúkpi7 encourages us to wear red today, Wednesday May 5th in recognition of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.