Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc

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.

REPORT BY TK̓WENEM7ÍPLE7 NIKKI FRASER

I’m honoured to be supporting the work our Language and Culture (L&C) Department team this term as the Primary Portfolio holder.

Most recently I’m happy to participate in the song sharing circle, this circle is a safe space to learn our songs in a good way. We have many talented singers in our community and happy they are in the circle to share songs. The Song Sharing Circles are hosted every Tuesday night, a light dinner and drinks provided. We had over 20+ members join the circle. What is really heartwarming is seeing and listening to our youth take a lead in our songs. The first few sessions we learned the Welcome Song and Honour song, now we are currently learning the Pitt house song. I encourage all members to come and participate in the Song Sharing Circle.

The L&C team are creating education videos for members to access. The most recent educational video L&C recorded was a meat processing video. Our Culture Assistant Manager, Greg Ferguson, showed our youth how to process a deer. The youth helped process and package the meat. I went to support this education workshop and see how engaged our youth were in this workshop. I just want to acknowledge the L&C team for creating space to pass on traditional knowledge to young people.

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.

REPORT BY TK̓WENEM7ÍPLE7 NIKKI FRASER

I first want to acknowledge the significance of this infrastructure that literary bridge the connection to both communities. This bridge had a lot of historical significance to our people. There was a time when our people needed written permission to leave the reserve, and the Red Bridge was the connection our ancestors used to cross with written permission from an Indian Agent. The Red Bridge was a pathway of connection to Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) Mount Paul Industrial Park and to the City Of Kamloops (COK) Downtown. Community was hurt and shocked by the news, there were a lot of heavy feelings, our Knowledge keepers, elders, and TteS Language & Cultural Department held ceremony for the Red Bridge to help those hurt and sadden by the loss.

Early morning of Thursday Sept 19, 2024, Kamloops and Tk̓emlúps Rural Detachment assisted Kamloops Fire and Rescue at the Red Bridge; the bridge was completely engulfed by flames. That morning, Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir released a joint statement with the City of Kamloops. Later that morning TteS Natural Resource Department (NRD) Manager, Aaron Gillespie supported Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) with the TteS NRD boat to take a MOTI team out on to the river to assess, they were the first out on the river to asses the site.

TteS Archaeology Department Manger Leslie LeBourdais team was on site during all ground disturbing activities since Thursday September 19. There has been some ground disturbance, one artifact was recovered from the surface of the beach before rig matting was laid down. They will be continuing to monitor and provide support during ongoing decommissioning activities.

TteS NRD, Arch, Emergency Management, P&E and I participated in the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMRC) Calls – from September 19-27, 2024

MOTI put up Debris Booms and Barriers to ensure debris was contained. There has been water monitoring, our NRD Manager is apart of this discussion, and ensuring the salmon have a path to get through to their spawning grounds, there are no significant concerns at this time.

Kamloops Fire and Rescue had full command of the site until the fire was fully suppressed, this took four days. MOTI is now leading, currently in Environmental Response phase.

Environmental response phase:

• MOTI have confirmed that following inspection the remaining sections of the Red Bridge will need to be removed due to structural and safety concerns and to support clean up of the debris from the Thompson River.
• This work is underway in close collaboration with Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and City of Kamloops (CoK).
• Due to the complex nature of the removal, utilizing cranes, barges and heavy equipment, it is critical we minimize environmental impacts to the Thompson River, as such, this work is expected to continue throughout the winter. TteS Arch will be onsite during this phase.

MOTI is currently monitoring traffic volumes. The monitors on TteS side included HIGHWAY 5 AND MT PAUL WAY INTERSECTION & HIGHWAY 5 AND SHUSWAP ROAD (RD.) INTERSECTION

Another joint statement from TteS and COK is being worked on, please review the first joint statement here: https://www.kamloops.ca/our-community/news-events/news-releases/kamloops-tkemlups-mourn-loss-historic-red-bridge

TteS will be advancing conversations with CN, to address the safety concerns of pedestrians using the CN bridge and will be advancing conversations with BC transit to expedite the expansion of Mount Paul Bus route to accommodate the loss of the red bridge for pedestrian traffic.

In closing, the fire that destroyed the Red Bridge is being investigated as arson. The investigation is ongoing with the support of the General Investigations Support Team, Forensic Identification Unit, fire investigators, KFR, and frontline officers from both the Kamloops city and Tk̓emlúps Rural detachments. Anyone who witnessed, has video, or information related is asked to please contact the Kamloops RCMP Detachment at 250-828-3000 or Tk̓emlúps Rural RCMP Detachment at 250-314-1800 and reference file 2024-31206.

Tk̓emlúps Rural RCMP Media Release ►

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 FRASER

Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) Natural Resource Department (NRD) Manager, Aaron Gillespie, took the boat out to fish in Kamloops Lake. Lyle Paul, Wyatt Camille with Language & Culture (L&C), Steve Basil with Community Services (CS), Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir and myself join. We were able bring home 48 Chinook salmon. This catch was processed by NRD team, L&C,CS, community members and nursing students from TRU.

I want to hold my hands up to Aaron, Steve, Dan, Lyle, Wyatt, Rob, Jason & Family & Kúkpi7 Rosanne for helping and processing this catch. Aaron taught us all how to clean and fillet the salmon. This catch will be handed out in the TteS annual winter hampers for TteS Membership.

Lots of hard work went into this and I’m so thankful Aaron creates opportunities for interdepartmental collaboration and community members to learn and support community. Next fishing season there are plans in the works to have a fishing camp.

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

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.