Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc

From the Office of the Chief –

On behalf of Council, I wanted to provide membership an update.   Chief and Council’s top priority is always for the health and safety of community members and for those who wish to visit our monument at the Kamloops Indian Residential School at TteS. We are asking all to uphold the integrity of Council and staff and follow the Secwépemc way of mutual respect.

Given the extreme heat dome ranging from 38-46 plus degrees Celsius throughout Secwepemcúl’ecw, TteS Chief and Council have passed a motion, to cancel any and all events from June 28 to July 5^th.

The decision is based on recommendations from FNHA due to the health and safety concerns and the potential for heat related illness. Currently there are more risks from heat, than there are from COVID 19.  This heat wave is potentially very dangerous, and we are asking all to be very careful.

If anyone wants to access TteS during any planned events between June 28th to July 5th, they will be doing so at their own risk.

Chief and Council have also decided to close the range due to the extreme fire risk.

We want to acknowledge there is a fire at Red Lake and pray for all those who are fighting that fire.

Due to the extreme heat, Sk’elep School has opened its gym as a community cooling centre from 10 am – 10pm.  COVID 19 safety protocols are in place and no food is allowed in the gym.  We encourage all to take advantage of this space as it is really important to stay cool in this extreme heat.

TteS community members are asked to please use water for essential needs only. Water conservation measures necessary due to extreme dry weather.  Water conservation measures are necessary due to the extreme dry weather. Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc water restrictions will be in effect until August 31.  No sprinkling is allowed between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm on any day. Even numbered addresses may sprinkle only on even numbered days. Odd numbered addresses may sprinkle only on odd numbered days.

The province has prohibited campfires throughout B.C. as of Wednesday at noon. The ban will stay in effect until Oct. 15 at noon or until the order is rescinded.

Yecwestsútce and stay safe.

Yours truly,

Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc
Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir (Chief)
On behalf of Council

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Meteorologists are calling for a “dangerous long duration heat wave.” Almost all of B.C. is now under this heat warning. Please note that these dangerously high temperatures are forecasted to last for at least the next two weeks.

Daytime highs are predicted over 40° Celsius for all next week, starting tomorrow; Thursday, July 1^st is expected to reach 47° Celsius; the week following is still forecasted for temperatures in the high 30s, with no precipitation in the forecast.

In many parts of the province, temperatures are not expected to dip below 20 C, even at night.

Daytime winds will remain strong; while offering some relief to the intense heat, strong wind conditions also cause quicker evaporation-dehydration and present extreme potential for spreading fires.

When temperatures are extremely high, take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones:

• Stay in an air-conditioned indoor location as much as you can.
• Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Schedule outdoor activities carefully.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen.
• Pace yourself.
• Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
• Check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you.
• Never leave children or pets in cars.
• Check the local news for health and safety updates.

If your home is not air-conditioned, do not rely on a fan as your main cooling device during an extreme heat event.

• Drink more water than usual and do not wait until you are thirsty to drink.
• Do not use the stove or oven to cook—it will make you and your house hotter.

When outdoors, protect against the sun’s rays. If applying sunscreen, check the expiration date on the product you are using; expired products should be disposed of as sunscreen agents can start to change chemically – changes in the formula over time can make it both ineffective and problematic for skin.

• Limit your outdoor activity, especially midday when the sun is hottest.
• Wear and reapply sunscreen as indicated on the package.

June 24, 2021, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc – As Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Chief and Council, we would like to openly acknowledge the horrific truth that Cowessess First Nation, survivors and intergenerational survivors of the former Marieval Indian Residential School are grappling with.

We mourn the confirmation of the hundreds of unmarked graves in Cowessess First Nation. We wish to acknowledge the leadership and truth that Chief Cadmus Delorme and Cowessess Knowledge Keeper Florence Sparvier, as well as FSIN Regional Chief Bobby Cameron, showed the world this morning at their press conference.

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From the Office of the Chief –

On behalf of Tk’emlúps Council, I would just like to say Yerí7 re sxexé7 (congrats) to all the TteS graduates of 2021.  We would like to pay tribute to your hard work and dedication that you have had to get you to this very important milestone – graduation.  Education is a priority for us at TteS and we have many k̓wséltkten who are celebrating with you! Yerí7 re stsweswísentlmen (I am proud of you “all”).

We consider education an investment into our future.  You are our future leaders, innovators, problem solvers and trendsetters.  We all encourage you to do your best, be your best and strive to make this world a better place for all of us.  We are counting on you.

You have already shown strength, resiliency, and the ability to be flexible by living through the COVID pandemic.  Challenges will always be there, so it is up to you how to face them and grow and learn from them.

We celebrate your successes and take pride in your accomplishments.  We also want to acknowledge all your family and mentors that have supported you through this process.  They may have coerced you to do your homework or took away your cell phone until your homework was done.  They believed in you, as do we. Xwexwéyt te k̓wséltkten wenecwem7úy tsweswísentlmen (your family is proud of you “all”).

We also acknowledge and celebrate the teachers that have influenced, inspired and supported you throughout the years.

As you move forward in life, we also want you to carry with great pride your identity as Tk’emlúpsemc.  Never forget your roots and the importance of culture, language, and traditions.  These values are what links generations to generations.   The recognition of the interconnectedness of all, and respect for our lands, water, medicines, plants, and each other, will help guide you towards a successful future.  Try to maintain balance in your life to create health and happiness.

Knowledge is power, and always be devoted to positive change and continue to inspire others to shape a better future for us all.

Always uphold your integrity and live your lives to the fullest.  Be true to yourself.

Here are the words I live by: “Know your Passion, Visualize your Plans, Collect your Resources, and always be Determined to Succeed!”  I practice those values in both my personal and professional life and share that with all of you as you continue with your academic paths.

We at TteS truly wish you so much success today and in the future!! Congratulations to all the Grads of 2021!! You did and Le7es ke7s w7ec wel me7 yews!!  ( we wish you the best forever/always!!)

TteS Post Secondary

TteS High School Graduates

• Oscar Bennett
• Ethan Bottle
• Apache Casimir
• Skylah George
• Madison George-Jules
• Savanna Jules
• Kiara Lampreau
• Talon Manuel
• Brian Mullins
• Delwyn Neveu
• Nolan Virgo
• Aliza Wells
• Kionna Wells

Congratulations to all the TteS Graduates of 2021!

Yours truly,
Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc
Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir (Chief)
On behalf of Council

Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc Council and members would like to say kukwstép-kucw to Adams Lake Band for the “Walking the Spirits Home” ceremony that took place from June 11 to 13 2021.  We want to also acknowledge and thank all the Elders, Knowledge keepers, survivors, intergenerational survivors, the Kukukpi7 and our K̓wséltkten from throughout Secwepemcúl’ecw that came together in unity and solidarity to support the survivors and the lost children in bringing their spirits home.

We are collectively grieving and this is one step towards reconciliation and healing. The truths of the survivors and the lost children are finally being heard by so many.

In light of the preliminary findings regarding the unmarked burial site of 215 children from the Kamloops Residential School, it is fitting that the healing journey started here, at the home campfire of the residential school.

Kukpi7 Arnouse and to your leadership, and all those who helped organize “Walking our Spirits Home”, we at TteS want to acknowledge the continued work that you and your campfire have done to bring healing to your community. We were honoured to assist with protocols, resources, and support.

From the Office of the Chief –

On behalf of Council, I want to provide you an update on what Council has been doing to follow up on the recent, heartbreaking findings at the Kamloops Indian Residential School. This was but the beginning of what will be a long and emotionally challenging process. Chief and Council are committed to providing regular updates to our membership.

For Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Council and I, as well as what we have heard in community, ceremonies, protocols, and justice are top of mind for all. This is only the beginning.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the grief that we have all felt. This is traumatic and each and every one of us have been impacted by residential schools. It is time to be gentle with ourselves as this brings up so many emotions and hurts. I know that I am reaching out to my loved ones and encourage you to do the same. Please note that we have included mental health supports at the end of this letter.

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From the Office of the Chief –

On behalf of Council, I just wanted to provide you an update on the follow up that has happened on the findings of the lost children on KIRS.

There was a pipe ceremony held on June 10^th.  On behalf of Councillor Jeanette who took the lead on behalf of Council, we are truly grateful to our TteS departments and the SNTC for attending and volunteering.  A lot of work went into the ceremony, from preparing flags and tobacco ties, to getting everything ready for the pipe carriers, ceremonial knowledge keepers, youth dancers, drummers singers and the Residential and Day Scholar Survivors.

From what I witnessed at the ceremony, people were truly engaged and present to what took place.  I lift my hands to all who attended, witnessed and participated in these important moments of ceremony and healing.

There were also several “follow ups” this week.

TteS was the host community for the Adams Lake Band’s journey  for the “Walking the Spirits Home” ceremony.

Meetings that Chief and Council attended this week included:

• With staff to share information and plan for the next steps
• With our legal team and
• First Nations Health Authority

We absolutely appreciate how other organisations, are showing their support as well. This week, Qwelmínte Secwépemc launched the 215+ Days for the Children, which includes a thoughtfully curated collection of resources and tools relevant to the impacts of Residential Schools and Trauma-Informed approaches. Please feel free to share and visit the website (https://www.qwelminte.ca/for-the-children) to access these resources.

As these are still early days, I would encourage you to reach out to loved ones. Check in on each other.

There are mental health supports in place.  Please see our website for more information.

Kukwstéc-kucw

From the Office of the Chief –

On behalf of Council, we wish to bring to your attention the proposed settlement agreement on behalf of our Day Scholars and Descendants.

This settlement covers compensation for the experience of attending residential day school including the loss of our language and culture and psychological harms.

The signing of the agreement marks an important milestone for Day Scholars. It recognizes the harm suffered because of their experiences while attending Residential School.

The settlement is under judicial review and will be determined this September 2021.

To ensure that the aging survivors receive compensation in their lifetime, the parties have agreed to separate the Band Class claims to focus on the resolution of the Survivor and Descendant classes.  The Day Scholar Executive team remain committed to finding a resolution for the Band class as well.

In reflecting on the work that led to this proposed agreement, it is heartening to think about the efforts of so many who worked to stand our people up and ensure that no one was left behind.

Acknowledgments to all the plaintiffs, descendants, the legal team, the executive committee, our communities, former Councillor Elder Evelyn Camille, Jo-Anne Gottfriedson, Councilor Katy Gottfriedson, former Kukpi7 Shane Gottfriedson, Councillor Jeanette Jules, and all C&C for the past three terms who prioritized our ongoing commitment and support for justice for our members, and the technical who supported the process along the way.

For more information, please see the website www.justicefordayscholars.com or contact Councillor Jeanette Jules of myself.

We hope that this settlement is one small step in bringing resolution to our survivors.

From the Office of the Chief –

On behalf of Council, I am here to share that we are the successful applicants of an Affordable Housing project.

We will be building 28 townhomes and an apartment building that will consist of 30-units. The townhouses will be 3- and 4-bedroom units and the apartments are 1&2 bedrooms. They will be serving the needs of our families, elders, and low-income individuals as well as those with disabilities who are members of TteS.

This project will assist us in addressing the housing needs of our members as identified in the TteS Housing Needs and Demand Study (2020).

This project will be funded through BC Housing, and we are appreciative of their support.

Please note this new housing is in addition to the Rapid Housing Elders project at Tyee park.

Kukwstsétsemc to the TteS Housing Manager and her department along with Council for moving forward our housing opportunities for our membership. It has been more than 20 years of no new housing in the community.
We are very excited about these two new housing projects. We will be keeping our members informed and look forward to construction in the late fall of 2021.

On behalf of Council, I just wanted to provide you an update on what Council has been doing to follow up on the recent, heartbreaking findings at the Kamloops Indian Residential School. This was but the first week of what will be a long and emotionally challenging process. Chief and Council are committed to providing regular updates to our membership.

For Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Council and I, as well as what we have heard in community, ceremonies, protocols, and justice are top of mind for all. This is only the beginning.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the grief that we have all felt. This is traumatic and each and every one of us have been impacted by residential schools. It is time to be gentle with ourselves as this brings up so many emotions and hurts. I know that I am reaching out to my loved ones and encourage you to do the same.

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