June 13, 2025 – Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc
Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc is working to protect a site on the North Shore where ancestral remains were located on Thursday, June 12, 2025.Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc requests that the site be respected, as it is now considered a sacred site. The site is protected under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the BC Heritage Conservation Act. Any alteration or disturbance to the sacred site is illegal and punishable under provincial law.
Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir states, “Cultural heritage is an important value for TteS and we have a responsibility to ensure that our TteS cultural and traditional practices are being respected. Our people have been here since time immemorial and travelled extensively throughout Secwepemcúl̓ecw.”
Kúkpi7 Rosanne would like to acknowledge the support of the RCMP, who continue to be a great partner and friend. RCMP were quick to communicate with Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and work with us to uphold our mutual commitment to respectful cultural heritage management.
The area is currently under 24-hour security, and we request that the public and media avoid the area to allow Tk̓emlúps to complete important work. We would like to thank and encourage the public to always report potential remains and/or artifacts to the nearest RCMP detachment and Tk̓emlúps. 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.
Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir
~ on behalf of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Council