Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc

In the lead up to the 11th annual Orange Shirt Day and the 4th annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir interviewed Keely Chow, a Tahltan-Tlingit Artist about turning an orange shirt day fundraising idea into reality, and then donating the proceeds to

Kamloops Indian Residential School commemorative activities. Keely worked on the design for the orange shirt with her grandfather Dempsey Bob, a Tahltan-Tlingit artist and master carver of world renown. Although Keely and her grandfather have wrapped up the fundraiser — their decisions serves as a good reminder as to what to look for when you purchase an orange shirt. Keely’s frank discussion as to why she loves working with her Grandfather Dempsey Bob may cause you to feel like there is someone chopping onions next to you in the best possible way!

TK̓EMLÚPS TE SECWÉPEMC / CITY OF KAMLOOPS (September 26, 2024) — The City of Kamloops and Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc are pleased to announce a first-ever joint initiative to commemorate the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation with an event on Friday, September 27, 2024, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Arbour. The event will include engaging activities, cultural teachings, tours of the Kamloops Residential School, and a one-mile Orange Shirt Day Walk beginning at 3:00 pm.

“The City is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc to mark this time of observance, which was established to honour the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools,” said Deputy Mayor Stephen Karpuk. “Only through ongoing collaboration can we continue the work of reconciliation that our two communities have fostered so diligently in recent years. I encourage all residents of Kamloops to attend, listen, learn, and respect the truths shared throughout the event.”

“The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day is an important opportunity to show allyship, honour survivors, and continue the journey of healing and education,” said Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir. As we partner with the City of Kamloops on this significant day for the first time, we express gratitude and together we are proud to serve our communities in unity, ensuring that we lead by example through our shared commitment to the implementation of Truth and Reconciliation.”

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation commemorative event will be free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to wear an orange shirt and comfortable shoes for the walk. To register in advance for a Kamloops Residential School tour, please email events@ttes.ca.

This event is sponsored in part by Heritage Canada.

The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation became a federal statutory holiday in 2021 and is marked on September 30 each year, the historical day of observance for Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led, grassroots observance to raise awareness of the inter-generational impacts of residential schools on individuals, families, and communities. The orange shirt symbolizes the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

Media Contact:

Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir (Chief)
Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc
Email: kukpi7.rosanne@ttes.ca
Phone: (250) 819-2255

Sarah Candido, Indigenous and External Relations Manager
City of Kamloops
Email: scandido@kamloops.ca
Phone: (250) 828-3312

The nominations are in!  Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc held a Nomination Meeting September 21, 2024 for the nomination of candidates for the position of Chief and Council. Download the Preliminary Candidate Lists below.

Preliminary nominations have been made for the positions of Chief (1) and Councillor (7). The final list of nominees will be updated on Sunday, September 29, 2024. To stand as a candidate, each nominee must submit an Oath of Candidate, Criminal Record Check, Bankruptcy Check, and Band Account Clearance Check to the Electoral Officer by September 28, 2024.

The election to elect one (1) Chief and seven (7) Councillors for the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc will be held November 9, 2024.

Preliminary Candidates for Chief ►

Preliminary Candidates for Councillor ►

The Toronta International Film Festival (TIFF) highlights Canadian perspectives to the world. TIFF is also a platform for underrepresented voices and truth telling, a significant outlet for Indigenous voices and realities.

Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir and Le Estcwicwéy̓ Manager Jeanette Jules were delighted to accept Tanya Talaga’s invitation to the TIFF screening of her documentary series, “The Knowing” which also the same title for her newly published book. Tanya made it clear that her journey began with covering the breaking news about Le Estcwicwéy̓ (the Missing Children of Kamloops Indian Residential School). Tanya brings to light significant parts of Canadian history, her lived experience from covering what took place at Tk̓emlúps, while the primary focus is about all that was involved in locating her great great grandmother.

Tanya Talaga has offered to host a screening of “The Knowing” in community and we are finalizing the details. We look forward to sharing more about it soon!

REPORT BY KÚKPI7 ROSANNE

Music for the People is an event that comes from Rod Little Sky Bandura’s dream—bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities together to create incredible music. On Sept 8, here at our Arbour I was honored to start this memorable event off with a our Secwépemc prayer in our language, our traditional Welcome song and offer welcoming remarks on the significance of reconciliation. We offer our deepest appreciation to his wife, Marjit Bandura, for hosting this concert in his honour and continuing to foster unity through music.

It was wonderful to be apart of a night of music and relationship building. On behalf of the entire TteS community, we express our sincere condolences for the passing of Rod Little Sky Bandura this past year. It is with gratitude and respect that we celebrate his enduring vision of harmony and reconciliation through music. On behalf of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, we extend our thanks to all that came out to connect.

KÚKPI7 ROSANNE CASIMIR

Primary Portfolio:
Public Relations & External Affairs/Legal (DS, DRI)

Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir, Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, is strong and confident leader who leads by example for future generations; she also serves as Tribal Chief for the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and as a Board Director for the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations. With 14+ years of service, she is committed to advancing community-driven initiatives that support self-determination, sustainable growth, and economic sovereignty. Kukpi7 Rosanne holds her hands up and acknowledges past and current leadership.

REPORT BY KÚKPI7 ROSANNE

On September 6 we hosted members of the Legislative Assembly for an important meeting. Tkwenem7íple7 Thomas, Le Estcwicwéy̓ team Jeanette Jules, Fred Seymour, Racelle Kooy, attended to join me in welcoming Legislative Assembly representatives Speaker Raj Chouhan, Clerk Kate Ryan-Lloyd, and Principal-Bella Concepts, Tanya Corbet. We began with respective historical context of truth telling and echoed the importance of contributing and providing feedback to meaningful ways to support the Assembly’s first Reconciliation Action Plan. The focus was on immediate actions such as education and training for MLAs, a Legacy Project, and future visits. Feedback was provided by Chief, Council, and TteS technical teams on making the Legislative Assembly initiatives more inclusive and better informed of the priorities and needs for Indigenous Peoples in British Columbia. We appreciate the work that has been done to date; we also acknowledge that there is much more to be done through action that reconciles and honours all experiences.

Speaker Raj Chouhan kindly gifted me a Cedar Feather, a symbol and marker of this important day. We gifted a Tk̓emlúps Meeting of the Rivers Pendleton to honour the work he has committed himself to; we hold our hands up to him for his commitment to ongoing Truth and Reconciliation while recognizing the Legislative Assembly’s role in reconciliation as a whole.

KÚKPI7 ROSANNE CASIMIR

Primary Portfolio:
Public Relations & External Affairs/Legal (DS, DRI)

Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir, Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, is strong and confident leader who leads by example for future generations; she also serves as Tribal Chief for the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and as a Board Director for the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations. With 14+ years of service, she is committed to advancing community-driven initiatives that support self-determination, sustainable growth, and economic sovereignty. Kukpi7 Rosanne holds her hands up and acknowledges past and current leadership.

REPORT BY TK̓WENEM7ÍPLE7 NIKKI FRASER

Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) Natural Resource Department (NRD) Manager, Aaron Gillespie, took the boat out to fish in Kamloops Lake. Lyle Paul, Wyatt Camille with Language & Culture (L&C), Steve Basil with Community Services (CS), Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir and myself join. We were able bring home 48 Chinook salmon. This catch was processed by NRD team, L&C,CS, community members and nursing students from TRU.

I want to hold my hands up to Aaron, Steve, Dan, Lyle, Wyatt, Rob, Jason & Family & Kúkpi7 Rosanne for helping and processing this catch. Aaron taught us all how to clean and fillet the salmon. This catch will be handed out in the TteS annual winter hampers for TteS Membership.

Lots of hard work went into this and I’m so thankful Aaron creates opportunities for interdepartmental collaboration and community members to learn and support community. Next fishing season there are plans in the works to have a fishing camp.

COUNCILLOR NIKKI FRASER

Primary Portfolio:
Natural Resources/Rights & Title

Secondary Portfolio:
Housing

Alternate Portfolio:
Lands, Leasing & Taxation

Nikki is a grassroots member of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS), with strong ties to both the Fraser and Paul Grassroot families. Nikki is proud mom to Trey, Aiyana, and Nipiy. She has worked for TteS in many different capacities since she was 15 years old. Nikki brings experience, knowledge and tools from her volunteer elected roles at BC Native Women’s Association, Native Women’s Association of Canada and the United Nations Youth Envoys office. Nikki is honoured to server her community & membership and continues her passion advocating and upholding TteS Rights and Title.

🚒 Kamloops Fire Rescue Smoke Alarm Installations 🚒

KFR will be returning to the missed TteS neighborhoods starting next week, Tuesday, September 16th, between 1pm and 4pm to install a remaining 100 smoke alarms. Smoke alarm installations will continue through Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons between 1pm and 4pm until all 100 smoke alarms are installed.

KFR crews hope to visit the following neighborhoods in the following order until they run of smoke alarms:

• East Shuswap Rd  (Tues / Wed)
• G & M / Kamloopa Rd / Mohawk Rd (Wed / Thurs)
• Kootenay Rd / Lane / Place (Thurs / Fri)
• Shuswap Rd W / Salish Rd (Fri / other)

Please note the installation schedule is subject to change due to fire call outs and KFR may NOT reach all homes due to the limited number of smoke alarms remaining. If you do not receive a visit from KFR, don’t worry – TteS Housing plans to visit the remaining homes to complete installations.

If your home was missed or you’d like to schedule an installation appointment at a more convenient time, please call TteS Housing at: 250-828-9719.

IMPORTANT:  KFR smoke alarm installation times may be interrupted by a fire response/call out.

For more information contact:
Leah Saiki
FireSmart Coordinator, Wildfire Emergency Management
leah.saiki@ttes.ca
(250) 299-3894

REPORT BY KÚKPI7 ROSANNE

On September 4, I gathered with fellow leadership to discuss the Final Agreement on Long Term Reform of the First Nations Child, and Family Program. Attendees included myself and Tkwenem7íple7 Dave, National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, Reginal BC Chief Terry Teegee, and Secwépemc Leadership from across the Nation. This meeting was an opportunity to discuss the agreement with National Chief Cindy Woodhouse as well as address and questions or concerns fellow Leadership may have,

We always appreciate taking the time to deeply dive into proposed legislation that will shape the future of our Nation. We regard the work we do for our children and future generations with diligence, respect, and care. Kukwstsétselp to everyone that showed up at the meeting for an important discussion.

KÚKPI7 ROSANNE CASIMIR

Primary Portfolio:
Public Relations & External Affairs/Legal (DS, DRI)

Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir, Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, is strong and confident leader who leads by example for future generations; she also serves as Tribal Chief for the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and as a Board Director for the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations. With 14+ years of service, she is committed to advancing community-driven initiatives that support self-determination, sustainable growth, and economic sovereignty. Kukpi7 Rosanne holds her hands up and acknowledges past and current leadership.

REPORT BY TK̓WENEM7ÍPLE7 DAVE

I was truly honored to attend the International Overdose Awareness Day event on Friday, August 30, 2024, at Moccasin Square Gardens, “To Honour Our Loved Ones Lost.” The event featured a tribute naming board, a drumming circle, a brushing-off ceremony, and a lunch.

Throughout the event, there was an open mic where attendees shared their personal experiences. A resource table was also set up, offering harm reduction information and supplies.

It was great to see the partnership between Interior Health, the First Nations Health Authority, and Qwemtsín Health Society in supporting the work of Sam Riozzi, Mental Health & Addictions Navigator for the Community Services Department of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc.

COUNCILLOR DAVE MANUEL

Primary Portfolio:
Community Services, Le Estcwicwéy̓

Secondary Portfolio:
Education/Language & Culture/Sk’elep

Alternate Portfolio:
Natural Resources/ Rights & Title

This is the second time Dave has been blessed to service and support the people of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc as Tkwenem7iple (Band Councillor). The first time on Band Council was 2006- 2009. Husband to Joyce Susan Fraser and very proud father of 3 children, Sherman Manuel, Nikki Fraser and Satinka Manuel.