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