Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc has developed two surveys about the updating of the Heritage Conservation Bylaw. There are links to the two surveys below. One survey, the “Quick Survey”, is for members who are interested in participating but don’t have a lot of time. The other survey, the “Detailed Survey”, is for members who have lots of information that they would like to share.
At the end of the surveys is information about an optional prize draw. For each survey, first prize is a Yeti Cooler and second prize is a Yeti Cup.
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
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.
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.
The nominations are in! Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc held a Nomination Meeting September 21, 2024 for the nomination of candidates for the position of Chief and Council. Download the Preliminary Candidate Lists below.
Preliminary nominations have been made for the positions of Chief (1) and Councillor (7). The final list of nominees will be updated on Sunday, September 29, 2024. To stand as a candidate, each nominee must submit an Oath of Candidate, Criminal Record Check, Bankruptcy Check, and Band Account Clearance Check to the Electoral Officer by September 28, 2024.
The election to elect one (1) Chief and seven (7) Councillors for the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc will be held November 9, 2024.
TḰEMLÚPS TE SECWÉPEMC / CITY OF KAMLOOPS (July 24, 2024) — On September 2, 2023, a member of the public reported human remains eroding from the bank of the South Thompson River. Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc and the City of Kamloops collaborated to implement the appropriate cultural policy associated with the discovery, and analysis has confirmed that the human remains were of Indigenous descent with an estimated burial date of 1670 Before Present (BP). The site is designated as a sacred site by Tḱemlúps and is now registered as an archaeological site protected under the BC Heritage Conservation Act.
Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir states, “Here at Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc we will always uphold our inherent jurisdiction, TteS heritage, cultural laws, and Secwépemc values. We take our responsibility in the highest regard and appreciate the collaborative efforts by all.”
Deputy Mayor Nancy Bepple states, “The City of Kamloops upholds the Letter of Understanding signed between us that respects the formalization of a cultural heritage protocol that we follow. We appreciate the work of our technical teams and Council values the process.”
Tḱemlúps would like to thank the residents of Kamloops and the RCMP for their support, as well as the City of Kamloops leadership and staff who continue to work with us to uphold our mutual commitment to respectful cultural heritage management.
We encourage the public to always report potential remains to the nearest RCMP detachment and Tḱemlúps. For more information, to report artifacts other than remains, or to seek further guidance concerning archaeological sites you can consult the City of Kamloops Archaeological Sites Bulletin or contact the B.C. Archaeology Branch.
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.
