Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc

From the Office of the Chief –

On behalf of Council, I just wanted to take the time to say Kukwstép-kucw to all those that honoured the first official National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Here at Tk̓emlúps, our membership and ḱwséltkten came together to support each other as we remember our collective experiences at residential school and to honour the missing children.  We also celebrated the beauty of the Secwépemc people, language, lands, and culture.  There was such great power and unity in having our community, Nation and country drumming the honour song for all the children of residential schools across Canada.  We drummed together for the healing of ourselves and Mother Earth so that our future generations will never have to suffer the painful injustices of genocide.

We were honoured to have National Chief Roseanne Archibald, BC Regional Chief Terry Teegee, Kukpi7 Wayne Christian, Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, Minister Murray Rankin, Minister Mike Farnworth, and Mayor Ken Christian join us to recognize the day and honour our survivors, intergenerational survivors, and the “Le Estcwéý,” the missing.  Your presence and words were truly appreciated. We also want to acknowledge the many other dignitaries that also joined us at our arbor.

Thank you, George Casimir, Josh Gottfriedson for hosting, Kyle Kreutzer, Julie John and FNHA for helping to organize the event and for all those who were there to support our people.

Let us all be the hope and change in making a difference to ensure that every child matters. Reconciliation can only happen when we work together and take time understand each other.  We extend our deep appreciation to all for standing in solidarity with Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc.   It is our time to stand up and celebrate our pride as indigenous people of the land.   Kukwstép-kucw (on behalf of all of us, we thank you all) for the outpouring of love, prayers for our community and the missing children in our care. Thank you for being with us on a historical day – the very first National Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation Day.

Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir

On behalf of Council

We are absolutely thrilled to premiere the video, me7 w7ec-kt wel me7 yews (We Will Always be Here) for the very first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It bears witness to the beauty of Secwepemc people, language, lands, and cultural expression. Kukwstsétsemc to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation for helping us bring this project to light.

Our vision to create a video where we could honour Kamloops Indian Residential School Survivors, the missing children in our care, and intergenerational survivors. We chose to honour them by demonstrating how, despite the concerted efforts of the federally mandated Indian Residential Schools to eradicate our culture, language, and ways of being, we are reclaiming, and revitalizing our Secwepemc language, traditions, and ways of knowing. We get to share our cultural treasures with the world!

September 30, 2021, Kamloops – In the buildup to the very first National Day For Truth and Reconciliation, Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Chief and Council reflected on both words and actions offered to them since the confirmation of the Kamloops Indian Residential School missing children in unmarked burial sites on the former residential school grounds.

→ DOWNLOAD MEDIA RELEASE

Join Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc on September 30 at 2:15 pm Pacific to drum and sing for the missing children of Indian Residential Schools.

Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc calls on people worldwide to drum simultaneously for the missing children of Indian Residential Schools for the first Canadian National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, this September 30 at 2:15 pm Pacific time.

More Info and How To Participate

Watch LIVE event at Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc PowWow Arbour

The nominations are in!  Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc held a Nomination Meeting September 25th, 2021 for the nomination of candidates for the position of Chief and Council. Download the Preliminary Candidate Lists below.

To stand as a candidate, each nominee has until October 2 to submit an Oath of Candidate, Criminal Record Check, Bankruptcy Check and Band Account Clearance Check to the Electoral Officer. The List of Nominees will be updated Sunday, October 3rd.

An election to elect one (1) Chief and seven (7) Councillors for the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc will be held November 13, 2021.

List of Candidates for Chief

List of Candidates for Councillor

We have received 20 tickets to BC Lions Game for Friday, September 24, 2021 7:30pm for IRS Survivors of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc.

Check list of what is required:

• Must have email to receive the tickets and ticket master account https://www.bclions.com/mobiletickets
• Must have a smart phone to log into Mobile Tickets at the Gate Entrance, No screenshots or printouts (Free Wi-Fi available)
• Must have Proof of Vaccination with valid Provincial/Federal Identification
• Must have own transportation to/from and organize your own accommodation

Note: NO honoraria or travel will be paid for those in attendance

Please contact Alicia John, Executive Secretary to Chief and Council alicia.john@kib.ca if you can have all the required checks complete by Friday, September 24, 2021 at 12:00pm. Alicia will transfer the tickets via email.

Thank you to BC Lions & Kids Up Front for the generous donation.

Here is some GAME DAY Info:

If you would like to receive a complimentary BC Lions Every Child Matters Shirt Suzette Amaya will be on site at GATE E at a Tent giving out T-Shirts ONLY TO THOSE WHO RECEIVED TICKETS FROM IRSSS.

Each IRSSS Guest will receive: 1 T-Shirt + 1 Food Voucher (Hot Dog, Chip & Pop) both kindly provided by the BC Lions.

THIS IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVED! NO HOLDS and ONLY FROM 6:30-7:30pm SO COME EARLY!

We cannot accommodate to people who miss out as this is first come first served and T-shirts have been set aside for IRSSS Ticket Holders though once the Game starts T-shirts are Not Available.

PLEASE NOTE: NO PURSES OR BAGS IN THE STADIUM. BRING PROOF OF VAX + PHOTO ID

For Mobile Ticket Info please go to  https://www.bclions.com/mobiletickets

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Join Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc on September 30 at 2:15 pm Pacific to drum and sing for the missing children of Indian Residential Schools.

September 17, 2021, Kamloops – Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc calls on people worldwide to drum simultaneously for the missing children of Indian Residential Schools for the first Canadian National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, this September 30 at 2:15 pm Pacific time.

DOWNLOAD MEDIA RELEASE

More info:
tkemlups.ca/drum

The First Nations Leadership Council is committed to changing the course of First Nation-Crown relations in BC in a way that empowers First Nations and results in real, concrete change to our children, families, and communities. First Nation voters have the potential to significantly the outcome of the September 20, 2021, Federal Election.

• DOWNLOAD Election Package for First Nations
• DOWNLOAD Guide to 2021 Election

Notice is hereby given that Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc has called an election in accordance with the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Custom Election Regulations, for the purpose of electing one (1) Chief and seven (7) Councillors for the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc for the next ensuing term.

Nomination Meeting — September 25, 2021 — 5:00 PM TO 8:00 PM
Moccasin Square Garden (357 – 345 Chief Alex Thomas Way)

Click to Download Full Notice of Nomination

POW WOW GROUNDS/ARBOUR is an important, culturally significant facility serving the members of the Tḱemlùps te Secwépemc community and for a variety of purposes including, spiritual/cultural services, and other gatherings. The risks associated with the transmission and/or exposure to the COVID-19 virus when using POW WOW GROUNDS/ARBOUR include,

• Interactions with others in event/public gathering setting.
• Transmission of the virus through high touch surfaces.
• Maintaining a two-meter physical distancing.

READ FULL SAFETY PLAN