Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc

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 Secwépemcúl’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.

READ FULL UPDATE

There has been an outpouring of support for our community. Thank you for helping us bring to light such hard truths that came from the preliminary findings regarding the unmarked burial sites of Kamloops Indian Residential School students so that we may begin the process of honouring the lost loved ones who are in our caretaking. Many have asked how they can support Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc. The document below offers some suggestions

How to Support Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (PDF)

5 pm, May 31, 2021, Kamloops – As the last logs go on our sacred fire, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of support to our community. Thank you for helping us bring to light such hard truths that came from the preliminary findings regarding the unmarked burial sites of Kamloops Indian Residential School students so that we may begin the process of honouring the lost loved ones who are in our caretaking. We love, honour, and respect these children, their families, and communities.

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