Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc

REPORT BY TK̓WENEM7ÍPLE7 DAVE

Truly amazing and very successful turn out this year for Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) Community BBQ that was held on Tuesday, August 20 at Full Circle Youth Centre.

Nice to see the Community Services Department and Secwépemc Child and Family Services work in partnership in supporting this year event for Youth, Elders and many of our TteS membership and staff able to enjoy eating hotdogs and hamburgers and fresh lemonade drinks winding up with some door prize draws and fun activities all ending up cheering and laughing together as TteS community.

Each time we as TteS membership attend this kind of Community gathering it is big part of our process for healing our Community spirit in beautiful way with happiness and love. Thank you tp everyone who took the time to attend our 2024 Community BBQ.

COUNCILLOR DAVE MANUEL

Primary Portfolio:
Community Services, Le Estcwicwéy̓

Secondary Portfolio:
Education/Language & Culture/Sk’elep

Alternate Portfolio:
Natural Resources/ Rights & Title

This is the second time Dave has been blessed to service and support the people of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc as Tkwenem7iple (Band Councillor). The first time on Band Council was 2006- 2009. Husband to Joyce Susan Fraser and very proud father of 3 children, Sherman Manuel, Nikki Fraser and Satinka Manuel.

REPORT BY TK̓WENEM7ÍPLE7 DAVE

Last Sunday August 11, 2024, I enjoyed getting out of the house on early Sunday morning to travel over to the Ḱwséltkten Farmers & Artisans Market initiative aiming at supporting First Nations and Indigenous growers, producers and artisans. The market is open from 8am to 2pm at the Kamloopa Powwow Arbour (345 Powwow Trail). This Sunday was extra special as I walked into the Arbour, greeted by the incredible music of our very own Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc member, Jeremy Kneeshaw. A talented songwriter and performer, Jeremy played his unique style of music throughout the event, his gifted singing voice blending perfectly with the beautiful sounds of his Riversong Guitar, made right here in Kamloops.

The Ḱwséltkten Farmers & Artisans Market is great way to helping to support local Indigenous Business and opportunity to spend time visiting with family and friends on Sunday morning.

COUNCILLOR DAVE MANUEL

Primary Portfolio:
Community Services, Le Estcwicwéy̓

Secondary Portfolio:
Education/Language & Culture/Sk’elep

Alternate Portfolio:
Natural Resources/ Rights & Title

This is the second time Dave has been blessed to service and support the people of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc as Tkwenem7iple (Band Councillor). The first time on Band Council was 2006- 2009. Husband to Joyce Susan Fraser and very proud father of 3 children, Sherman Manuel, Nikki Fraser and Satinka Manuel.

REPORT BY KÚKPI7 ROSANNE

Myself and TteS Council members welcomed the New Gold Board of Directors (BOD) to the TteS Council Chambers. We were thrilled to learn that this was their first visit to the Kamloops area and to have the opportunity for them to meet with leadership from Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc. The Board’s fundamental objectives are to enhance and preserve long-term shareholder value, ensure reliable operations, and uphold safety. Together with SSN, we are engaged with New Gold and have established a long-term relationship.

Our discussions with the Board of Directors included topics such as the relationship, good governance, and decision-making regarding our lands and resource management. We also addressed our role as yecwmín̓men (stewards), focusing on economic development, health and safety, cultural heritage, intellectual property, and the British Columbia Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (the Declaration Act), which requires fulfillment to achieve free, prior, and informed consent.

KÚKPI7 ROSANNE CASIMIR

Primary Portfolio:
Public Relations & External Affairs/Legal (DS, DRI)

Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir, Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, is strong and confident leader who leads by example for future generations; she also serves as Tribal Chief for the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and as a Board Director for the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations. With 14+ years of service, she is committed to advancing community-driven initiatives that support self-determination, sustainable growth, and economic sovereignty. Kukpi7 Rosanne holds her hands up and acknowledges past and current leadership.

REPORT BY TK̓WENEM7ÍPLE7 NIKKI

I am happy to share that we have a new Natural Resource Department (NRD) Manager that will be starting in August. Aaron Gillespie is a Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc member and brings 25+ years of knowledge & experience in the Natural Resource sector to his new role at TteS. As the primary portfolio holder for NRD, I’m excited to work on revitalizing the Cultural Resource Management component and Stewardship. We are very lucky to have Aaron join the team to bring his wealth of knowledge to TteS.

I’d like to thank our previous NRD Manager and Assistant Manager Jim McGrath and Barry Bennett, who have moved with our Forestry to our new business arm, Sc.wén̓wen Economic Development Corporation (SEDC). Both Jim and Barry have seen though successful major projects with TteS NRD like Trans Mountain Expansion Project and on now they will support the forestry business with SEDC.

COUNCILLOR NIKKI FRASER

Primary Portfolio:
Natural Resources/Rights & Title

Secondary Portfolio:
Housing

Alternate Portfolio:
Lands, Leasing & Taxation

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.

REPORT BY TK̓WENEM7ÍPLE7 NIKKI

Monday July 29, 2024 TTES welcomed New Gold CEO, New Afton General Manager and New Gold Board of Directors. This is the first time the full board has sat down with SSN and TteS. We held a ceremony with Knowledge Keeper Ed Jensen a smudge and brushing off. Kúkpi7 Rosanne, Tk̓wenem7íple7 Dave, Thomas, and I were in attendance, as right holders we shared the knowledge of being Yecminme7.

Happy to share that Archeology is now their own department, I would like to uplift manager Leslie LeBourdais and her crew for the hard work when it comes to protecting our cultural heritage resources.

Kukpi7 Rosanne, Archeology Portfolio holder, Archeology Department Manager has done a media release for membership and the public updating everyone on the ancestral remains that were found fall 2023,the remains were of Indigenous descent and estimated burial date was approx. 1670. TTES has designated the area, where our ancestor was found, as a sacred site & is now registered as an archaeological site under the BC Heritage Conservation Act.

READ MEDIA RELEASE ►

Kukwstsetselp to Language & Culture Department for supporting the Archeology Department with this important responsibility.

COUNCILLOR NIKKI FRASER

Primary Portfolio:
Natural Resources/Rights & Title

Secondary Portfolio:
Housing

Alternate Portfolio:
Lands, Leasing & Taxation

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.

REPORT BY TK̓WENEM7ÍPLE7 DAVE

On Friday June 14 TteS Community Services hosted the official opening of C7i7elcmenten re Stsillen (a Place To Share Food). This event brought together community members to celebrate and uphold the traditional Secwépemc values of generosity and sharing.

The event began with a moving prayer by Elder Charlotte Manuel, setting a respectful and spiritual tone for the day. Following the prayer, Manager Priscilla Johnstone and I had the honor of delivering a few opening remarks. We were joined by community member Vicki Manuel, who shared the significance of generosity in Secwépemc culture, emphasizing the importance of sharing food and resources with our people.

After the opening remarks, attendees enjoyed a delicious BBQ, followed by a beautifully decorated cake. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, conversation, and a true sense of togetherness.

The celebration concluded with draws for some wonderful door prizes, adding an element of excitement and fun to the event. The joy on the faces of the winners was a testament to the community spirit of the day.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Community Services staff for their hard work and dedication in hosting this wonderful event. It was inspiring to see the team come together, demonstrating a shared commitment to making tC7i7elcmenten re Stsillen a huge success.

Here’s to many more gatherings at C7i7elcmenten re Stsillen, where we will continue to share food, stories, and our enduring spirit of generosity.

COUNCILLOR DAVE MANUEL

Primary Portfolio:
Community Services, Le Estcwicwéy̓

Secondary Portfolio:
Education/Language & Culture/Sk’elep

Alternate Portfolio:
Natural Resources/ Rights & Title

This is the second time Dave has been blessed to service and support the people of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc as Tkwenem7iple (Band Councillor). The first time on Band Council was 2006- 2009. Husband to Joyce Susan Fraser and very proud father of 3 children, Sherman Manuel, Nikki Fraser and Satinka Manuel.