October 7, 2021, Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc – This statement is in follow up Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc leadership and grassroots family representatives discussions regarding the public apology made by the Prime Minister of Canada on October 6, 2021, as well as the call between Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that took place on October 2, 2021.
Thank you for honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
From the Office of the Chief –
On behalf of Council, I just wanted to take the time to say Kukwstép-kucw to all those that honoured the first official National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Here at Tk̓emlúps, our membership and ḱwséltkten came together to support each other as we remember our collective experiences at residential school and to honour the missing children. We also celebrated the beauty of the Secwépemc people, language, lands, and culture. There was such great power and unity in having our community, Nation and country drumming the honour song for all the children of residential schools across Canada. We drummed together for the healing of ourselves and Mother Earth so that our future generations will never have to suffer the painful injustices of genocide.
We were honoured to have National Chief Roseanne Archibald, BC Regional Chief Terry Teegee, Kukpi7 Wayne Christian, Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, Minister Murray Rankin, Minister Mike Farnworth, and Mayor Ken Christian join us to recognize the day and honour our survivors, intergenerational survivors, and the “Le Estcwéý,” the missing. Your presence and words were truly appreciated. We also want to acknowledge the many other dignitaries that also joined us at our arbor.
Thank you, George Casimir, Josh Gottfriedson for hosting, Kyle Kreutzer, Julie John and FNHA for helping to organize the event and for all those who were there to support our people.
Let us all be the hope and change in making a difference to ensure that every child matters. Reconciliation can only happen when we work together and take time understand each other. We extend our deep appreciation to all for standing in solidarity with Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc. It is our time to stand up and celebrate our pride as indigenous people of the land. Kukwstép-kucw (on behalf of all of us, we thank you all) for the outpouring of love, prayers for our community and the missing children in our care. Thank you for being with us on a historical day – the very first National Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation Day.
Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir
On behalf of Council
We Will Always be Here
We are absolutely thrilled to premiere the video, me7 w7ec-kt wel me7 yews (We Will Always be Here) for the very first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It bears witness to the beauty of Secwépemc people, language, lands, and cultural expression. Kukwstsétsemc to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation for helping us bring this project to light.
Our vision to create a video where we could honour Kamloops Indian Residential School Survivors, the missing children in our care, and intergenerational survivors. We chose to honour them by demonstrating how, despite the concerted efforts of the federally mandated Indian Residential Schools to eradicate our culture, language, and ways of being, we are reclaiming, and revitalizing our Secwépemc language, traditions, and ways of knowing. We get to share our cultural treasures with the world!
Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Calls out Action over Apologies on National Day For Truth and Reconciliation
September 30, 2021, Kamloops – In the buildup to the very first National Day For Truth and Reconciliation, Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Chief and Council reflected on both words and actions offered to them since the confirmation of the Kamloops Indian Residential School missing children in unmarked burial sites on the former residential school grounds.
Drum For the Children | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Join Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc on September 30 at 2:15 pm Pacific to drum and sing for the missing children of Indian Residential Schools.
Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc calls on people worldwide to drum simultaneously for the missing children of Indian Residential Schools for the first Canadian National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, this September 30 at 2:15 pm Pacific time.
BC Lions Game Tickets
We have received 20 tickets to BC Lions Game for Friday, September 24, 2021 7:30pm for IRS Survivors of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc.
Check list of what is required:
- Must have email to receive the tickets and ticket master account https://www.bclions.com/mobiletickets
- Must have a smart phone to log into Mobile Tickets at the Gate Entrance, No screenshots or printouts (Free Wi-Fi available)
- Must have Proof of Vaccination with valid Provincial/Federal Identification
- Must have own transportation to/from and organize your own accommodation
Note: NO honoraria or travel will be paid for those in attendance
Please contact Alicia John, Executive Secretary to Chief and Council alicia.john@kib.ca if you can have all the required checks complete by Friday, September 24, 2021 at 12:00pm. Alicia will transfer the tickets via email.
Thank you to BC Lions & Kids Up Front for the generous donation.
Here is some GAME DAY Info:
If you would like to receive a complimentary BC Lions Every Child Matters Shirt Suzette Amaya will be on site at GATE E at a Tent giving out T-Shirts ONLY TO THOSE WHO RECEIVED TICKETS FROM IRSSS.
Each IRSSS Guest will receive: 1 T-Shirt + 1 Food Voucher (Hot Dog, Chip & Pop) both kindly provided by the BC Lions.
THIS IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVED! NO HOLDS and ONLY FROM 6:30-7:30pm SO COME EARLY!
We cannot accommodate to people who miss out as this is first come first served and T-shirts have been set aside for IRSSS Ticket Holders though once the Game starts T-shirts are Not Available.
PLEASE NOTE: NO PURSES OR BAGS IN THE STADIUM. BRING PROOF OF VAX + PHOTO ID
For Mobile Ticket Info please go to https://www.bclions.com/mobiletickets
Covid-19 Safety Plan: Pow Wow Grounds/Arbour
POW WOW GROUNDS/ARBOUR is an important, culturally significant facility serving the members of the Tḱemlùps te Secwépemc community and for a variety of purposes including, spiritual/cultural services, and other gatherings. The risks associated with the transmission and/or exposure to the COVID-19 virus when using POW WOW GROUNDS/ARBOUR include,
- Interactions with others in event/public gathering setting.
- Transmission of the virus through high touch surfaces.
- Maintaining a two-meter physical distancing.
COVID-19 Update [video]
From the Office of the Chief –
Today is Aug 20th and on behalf of Council, I wanted to provide you a COVID update.
The number of COVID cases around Kamloops have doubled in the last week to levels that we have not seen since Feb., and they have then on a constant rise since mid July.
By far, the greatest risk of infection is individuals who are not vaccinated.
The Delta virus is the virus that is circulating and is roughly twice as infectious as the earlier COVID 19 variants. It is twice as transmissible and far more young people, low risk individuals and children can develop severe symptoms.
People who are not vaccinated are much more likely to catch the virus and will make others sick.
For fully vaccinated people, you still need to be vigilant, as you may also catch and spread the Delta variant. Vaccinated people can still be asymptomatic and infect and transfer the virus to others. You don’t want to me the reason a loved one, who may be high risk, becomes infected.
Wearing a mask can save someone else’s life! Please to do your part against the spread of COVID. We want to continue to keep ourselves, and our community as safe as possible around COVID.
If you plan on hitting the pow wow trail, or travelling outside the region, check the COVID travel restrictions before you go. Continue to protect our loved ones here.
Yecwests’utce – Look after yourselves
Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir
On behalf of Council
Sun Ridge Contracting Gives Back
Carrie Leonard is a proud business woman who will stand for First Nations Rights and Titles along with supporting First Nations Businesses. Carrie and her husband Cliff Loucks, own the award winning first nations business, Sun Ridge Contracting. They have been known to win the Chamber of Commerce First Nations Business of the Year Award, along with B.C. Aboriginal Business of the Year Award. SRC has provided trucks, heavy equipment, and expert staff in the mining, civil, earthworks and forestry sectors. SRC currently works at New Gold New Afton, multiple Trans Mountain Expansion Project sites and has some new up and coming contracts for other companies! The company is busier than ever and growing to meet the demands of many diverse clients who respect the strong leadership work. SRC is proud to be a COR certified company that strives to “Work Safe, Home Safe” which has built their reputation within the Tk̓emlúps te Secwepmec territory.
Carrie understands the challenges of being an Indigenous business owner, and particularly a woman in her industry. “My mother taught me to be strong and proud, to not take handouts, and to work hard” she also says “make every day count and do the best you can each and every day.” Carrie wears many hats in her company and is 100% involved in every aspect of their business. She fights to stay positive and take the high road.
Giving back is very important to both Carrie and Cliff. The company, which is 100% Indigenous owned, is proud to maintain between 60% – 75% indigenous employment. SRC is strong supporters of their community, donating and giving back to their community by ways of education bursaries, sponsoring the Kamloopa Pow Wow, Variety Club Children’s Hospital, funds, Kamloops Food Bank, and most recently supporting the health care sector by donating air purifiers and helping the home-care areas within the Q’wemtsin Health Society. These are just a few things that SRC does to give back to their community.
Events and Ceremony Postponed Until September 2021
Attention: Individuals, Communities and Nations Planning Visits to Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc
On June 15, 2021 the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc shared a letter to all Nations regarding Le Estcwéy̓ (The Missing—215+ Children) including our role as caretakers, maintaining safety of community and guests, and particularly requests for ceremonies in honour of the children. We have hosted many guests to date and recognize the importance of welcoming anyone into our community who wish to pay their respects.
Current processes have required visitors to complete Event Request Forms so that we can adequately host guests.
For the month of August, however, we are taking the much needed time and space to grieve and conduct ceremony as a community. Over a duration of 15 days, the families of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc will be visiting the sacred burial site. This area has not been accessible to anyone outside of the TteS Language and Culture Department, who have been caring for the children regularly with drumming, songs and ceremony.
As we take this time, we have decided that any event or ceremony requests received will be postponed until September 2021. Those Nations who have been on their journey to Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc prior to this announcement, will be welcomed as we have been anticipating their arrival for some time.
Note: Guests are still welcome to visit our community such as the Kamloops Indian Residential School Monument or Powwow Arbour Grounds on their own.
We thank you for your understanding of this notice and look forward to hosting you again in September.
Yours truly,
Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc
Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir (Chief)
On behalf of Council