Summer Fun Awaits at the Full Circle Youth Centre!
Mark your calendars, parents! Full Circle Youth Centre Summer program 2024 is just around the corner, and registration opens on June 12th.
This program runs from June 24th to August 23rd and is the perfect opportunity for youth aged 5-12 to explore, learn, and create unforgettable memories. With only 15 spots available, don’t miss your chance to secure a place for your child.
Activities include:
Sports and recreation
Arts and crafts
Outdoor adventures
Interactive workshops
Community engagement
The online registration form will be live and available for sign-ups starting on June 12th at 12:30 PM. Act fast, as spots are limited!
A Message From The Chief: D-Day 80th Anniversary Reflection
Today marks the 80th Anniversary of D-Day – a day when we remember and honour the Indigenous Veterans who contributed bravery and sacrifice as they fought alongside Canadian soldiers. Today and always, we honor all of you and your families. We know that our Veterans overcame many challenges: learning new languages, leaving the place they called home, disenfranchisement, and inequality regarding benefits offered to the Canadian soldiers who served.
We acknowledge all First Nations, Inuit & Métis veterans who are heroes in our communities, families, and Nations. This Anniversary is an important day to recognize the many contributions and sacrifices that Indigenous Veterans have made and continue to make. You are forever in our hearts and we hold you with high respect, sincere honour, and much gratitude.
Indigenous Canadians have been part of our military history for over 200 years. We must never forget the sacrifices and accomplishments of Indigenous Veterans, especially as we move forward in our journey of healing, reconciliation, and a renewed relationship between Canada and it’s First Nations Peoples.
Let us all take a moment to remember those who sacrificed and fought for the peace and safety for our community, our Nation, and for Canada.
To the Indigenous Veterans of our community, Xyemstsít (we honour you) and hold our hands up to you for your service and bravery.
May 23, 2021, marks the day that preliminary ground penetrating radar was completed on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc observes it as a day of reflection. We encouraged our members to be with family and support each other.
The 2021 decision to share the news about the preliminary investigative work came about because the findings were being spread like wildfire. To maintain the integrity of the investigation, to uphold truth and counter rumour and misinformation, Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc Council made the hard decision to share the news publicly. We knew it would be heart wrenching for our membership as well as for Indigenous People across Canada as virtually all live with firsthand or intergenerational impacts of Indian Residential Schools.
Today, May 27, 2024, marks the third anniversary of the day that preliminary finding went public. On this day, we choose to reach out directly to you – Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc membership, community members and allies. Thank you for how you rallied around us in support of our findings and continue to walk with us. Thank you to our dedicated Le Estcwicwéy̓ Department, staff dedicated to completing the investigation as well as building a Healing House for Survivors and intergenerational Survivors.
At the same time, we knew that there would be a backlash. There have always been those who target Indigenous People in Canada, with systemic racism and white supremacy as foundational to Canada as the very federal laws that ripped our children away from home, in cattle trucks and police cars, to bring them to the residential schools.
That said, three years later, we remain steadfast in our sacred duty as guardians to the missing children from the Kamloops Indian Residential School. From the beginning, we have articulated and exercised our jurisdiction. The investigation continues to be carried out in compliance with Secwépemc laws, legal traditions, worldviews, values, and protocols. We are taking steps to ensure the investigation is carried out in a way that does not preclude and will not interfere with potential future legal proceedings.
With all the misinformation and targeted denialism, allow me to remind you of key facts:
Elders and survivors have always spoken of children dying and disappearing while at the school. Men speak of, as boys attending Kamloops Indian Residential School, being woken in the middle of the night, and asked to dig holes that seemed like graves, in the dark, and not being told why.
In May 2021 with the assistance of a Ground Penetrating Radar, Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc was able to narrow down the location of probable unmarked burial sites on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School (KIRS).
Tḱemlúps immediately took responsibility for the children, who we call Le Estcwicwéy̓ (the Missing). This includes the responsibility to care for them and to seek justice for them.
We remain committed to working with the many other communities and Nations whose children were taken to the Kamloops Indian Residential School. Over 128 communities and 32 Nations had children at the school.
At this time, we are deep into the investigative work. Our approach is multidisciplinary and includes the following:
Archival and documentary research and analysis
Wenecwtsínem (truth telling) with KIRS survivors
Archaeological and anthropological surveys and studies
Potential DNA and other forensic methods
Our investigative findings (and investigative steps) are currently being kept confidential to preserve the integrity of the investigation. Our investigators’ findings to date are consistent with the presence of unmarked burials. When we reach our next milestone, we will be sure to update you.
Thinking of our own thorough process, I also reflect on all the other communities grappling with their findings regarding Missing Children at other former Residential Schools. We grieve with you and stand with you as you continue with your own investigations.
You may be asking – how can you help? Did a member of your family attend Kamloops Indian Residential School? We are working with Survivors to learn what they recollect from their experience as it relates to the missing children. However, we are not looking to stir up bad memories. We are looking for insight that may assist in our research. Please reach out and be assured that this is a trauma-informed and confidential process.
As an ally, to refute the very real harm caused by denialists, we encourage you to speak out and organize. Truth about the realities of Residential Schools and the Missing Children must be upheld. There are so many tools to help educate people about Residential Schools.
I would like to end with what I shared in July 2021 and remains very true today. I want to acknowledge Indian Residential School Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors. No words are sufficient to express the comfort and love we wish to convey to you. We see you, we love you, and we believe you.
On May 27, 2021, it was with a heavy heart that Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc confirmed an unthinkable loss that was spoken about but never documented by the Kamloops Indian Residential School. With the help of a ground penetrating radar specialist, the stark truth of the preliminary findings came to light — the confirmation of 215 anomalies were detected.
Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc offices will be closed Thursday, May 23 in honour of these findings.
For many of us, this announcement has been a stark reminder of a painful chapter in our history. It serves as a starting point for many to learn more about the dark realities of residential schools and the lasting impacts they have had on Indigenous communities. While the number “215” has become a symbol of the children lost at the Kamloops Indian Residential School, it’s important to recognize that it represents far more than just a numerical figure. It stands for the countless spirits of children who never had the chance to return home from residential schools all across Canada. It signifies the enduring connections they had to their communities and the profound impact their loss continues to have across generations.
Chief and Council are designating this day as a Day of Reflection. We urge everyone to set aside time for introspection, learning, and being with loved ones. As we pause to reflect and honour the memory of Le Estcwicwéy̓ (the missing) and all those affected by the residential school system, let us also recommit ourselves to the ongoing work of reconciliation and healing.
Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc thrilled to announce that Sweláps Market has achieved not just one, but two awards at this year’s BC Economic Development Association Awards. The BCEDA Awards honor outstanding contributions to local economies and communities, recognizing those who’ve gone above and beyond in fostering economic growth and community development.
Sweláps Market proudly accepts the following awards for 2024:
Community Project Award (community less than 20,000 population):
The BCEDA Community Project Award recognizes an organization that has implemented various economic development initiatives that provide economic benefits to a community or region.
Winner: Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Business & Economic Development — Sweláps Market
People’s Choice Award:
BC Economic Summit delegates were asked to vote for one of the award winners as the People’s Choice and the selected project was Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Business & Economic Development for Sweláps Market.
We wish to extend a heartfelt thank you and congratulations to the entire Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc community, our dedicated staff, and the leadership of Kukpi7 and Council. This achievement is a testament to our collective effort and commitment to driving positive change.
Thank you to the many people that played a part in this project, a special recognition goes to our Ec. Dev Team, VisionQuest Advisors, BIRD construction and Kara Stokes, along with the incredible staff at Sweláps Market. Your hard work and dedication have turned the dream of a community-owned grocery store into a reality.
Let’s celebrate this achievement together and continue our journey of making a meaningful difference in the community.
Economic Development Team Members Nova Sekhon & Bala with Roly Russell, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development and Dale Wheeldon, President and CEO of BCEDA.
Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc hosted opening ceremonies for the Annual Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) Conference; TteS welcomed interior professionals from both First Nations and Non-First Nations Governments to gather for the purpose of learning and networking. The theme of this year’s conference is “Keeping The Ball Rolling” which works to encourage and celebrate current members of Local Governments to continue to uphold the work that has come before them through positive relationship building, teamwork, and seeking a better future for all.
Tkwenem7iple7 Nikki Fraser offered a keynote speech to kick off the event in the Arbour the morning of May 1st. Tkwenem7iple7 Nikki noted the excitement and gratitude she had for this conference being held of the land of TteS, and she welcomed respected dignitaries with open arms. Tkwenem7iple7 Nikki delivered a powerful keynote that focused on the relationship between TteS and the City of Kamloops. In her address, she paid much respect to the past leaders that had come before her, and acknowledged the hard work that has been put into these relationships for over thirty years. Tkwenem7iple7 Nikki celebrated both TteS and the City of Kamloops for their dedication to having valuable, and at times, hard conversations that ultimately work to serve the greater good of all communities. The efforts put into these relationships show up today, and TteS is proud of the work they see through in collaboration and respect with The City of Kamloops.
The Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) gather annually to discuss local government matters, educate themselves and one another on current trends and missions, and network between governments.
The Kamloops-Thompson school district has named the new school in Pineview Valley “Sníne Elementary” following a consultation process with over 1,300 public responses on potential names. The decision was made by the SD73 board of education during a meeting on Monday, April 22. “Sníne,” which means owl in Secwepemctsín, reflects the significance of Secwepemc culture, where the owl symbolizes wisdom and growth in traditional stories. The inclusion of Secwepemc words in school naming is seen as crucial for language revitalization and cultural representation in the region. Members of the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc band, Jackie Jules, Jade Seymour, and Tk̓wenem7íple7 Morning-Star, served on the naming committee, marking a significant step towards decolonization efforts.
Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Elder, Charlotte Manuel, is celebrating 45 years of sobriety!
This Saturday, April 20th, 2024, will mark 45 years of sobriety for Charlotte Manuel. April 20th is her Auntie’s birthday, who was one of Charlotte’s biggest supporters on her healing journey. “I quit on my Auntie’s birthday because I told her I would.”
Charlotte is a proud Grandma and Mother, she is the oldest of 18 siblings, and has so much gratitude for her family and friends.
Charlotte talks about her healing journey and relates so much of her process to the medicine wheel. She has worked on emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual healing. Charlotte describes herself as a “whole person”. She keeps busy with traditional crafting, beading, staying involved with her community and her children, keeping a healthy diet and exercise, and practicing Native spirituality. Charlotte said through her healing she re connected with Secwepemc culture, stories, song, dance, and tradition. She encourages her community to learn these ways.
Charlotte believes in the power of sharing. She says that being able to name her emotions and work through them is part of her growth.
Words of Wisdom from Elder Charlotte Manuel
“Ask you ancestors for guidance. Sing your songs. Learn about what you don’t know. Be willing to learn. Have courage to speak your truth. Be strong in what you believe in.”
“The power of love is very strong. It is important you share that with your children. You tell your children that you love them. I feel love from my children, aunties, brothers, and sisters and I share it back with them. You need to accept love into your life, don’t fight with it.”
“I love my sobriety. I love my life. I would not change it for anyone or anything. I wake up in the morning and I am thankful for another day of life.”
“Forgiveness is a gift from the creator, and it teaches you how to forgive yourself.”
Time and again, Survivors have shown incredible courage to step forward. They were pivotal to the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Recently, in British Columbia, they stepped up again – such as the Lhtako Dene Survivors speaking in Council Chambers in Quesnel, the Survivors who helped the Ahousaht investigation or the Survivors who have shared vital information in our investigation of the Kamloops Indian Residential School. Now is the time for allies to be unrelenting in upholding the truth and calling out misinformation.
The following is a joint statement regarding the unprecedented and historic Easter Sunday ceremonies between Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver, and Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops. They signed a Sacred Covenant on Easter Sunday, marking a significant step forward in healing and reconciliation.
