Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc

Kamloops, BC—The City of Kamloops is pleased to announce its support of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc in their bid to host the 2027 North American Indigenous Games in Kamloops. This support includes up to $500,000 of in-kind support in the form of facilities and staff time and a potential cash contribution should the bid be successful.

The 2027 North American Indigenous Games is the largest multi sport and cultural event hosted in Canada and the United States and specifically targets Indigenous populations. Historically, the North American Indigenous Games has brought together more than 5,000 athletes, coaches, and team staff from over 756 Indigenous Nations to celebrate, share, and reconnect through sport and culture.

In Canada, the North American Indigenous Games are a fundamental component of the Indigenous sport movement as they have effected positive change in the health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples. The North American Indigenous Games Council—the international governing body for the Games—ensures the purposes and philosophies are reflected in all aspects of the Games and works in a manner that is consistent with the cultural, spiritual, and traditional values of the people it represents.

Each North American Indigenous Games features eight days of competition in July in up to 16 sports. The sporting events may include 3D archery, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, box lacrosse, canoe/kayak, golf, rifle shooting, soccer, softball, swimming, volleyball, and wrestling.

“The North American Indigenous Games represents the pinnacle of interprovincial/territorial sport and cultural celebration which embodies the cultural, spiritual, and traditional values of our people,” said Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc.

“Kamloops is proud to have world-class facilities that can support Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc in hosting this monumental event. Our community has a proven track record of providing an exceptional athlete experience,” said Sean Smith, the City’s Business Operations and Events Supervisor.

The North American Indigenous Games are held every four years and use a geographic rotation when choosing the next location. The 2020 North American Indigenous Games were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The next Games will be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 2023. The 2027 bid is for the western region, and the next opportunity for this region to host is in 2039.

KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA September 22, 2022 – The Kamloops Indian Band Development Corporation (KIBDC), the business and economic development arm of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS), is pleased to announce the signing of a new Joint Venture Agreement and a Community Benefits Agreement with the Arrow Group of Companies (the Arrow Group). Both agreements demonstrate the Arrow Group’s proven commitment to recognizing and benefiting TteS and its members in long-term, sustainable ways.

“We appreciate partners like Arrow who are dedicated to investing in our community and our membership,” says Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir. “It is important to TteS to advance sustainable opportunities and form partnerships to strengthen our self-reliance. Our drive for self-determination revolves around creating real long-term economic benefits that align with our values and principles.”

“Our business and economic development vision is to create culturally relevant, attractive, and successful opportunities for present and future generations,” says Devin Gambler, KIBDC Manager. “The TteS community is open for business, and we are looking for honest and respectful partners who are committed to walk beside us on our path towards self-sufficiency and independence. Our ever-strengthening relationship with the Arrow Group illustrates what is possible when industry and Indigenous communities are truly committed to each other’s values and economic success.”

Tkemlúps te Secwépemc, KIBDC, and the Arrow Group share a vision of sustainable business and economic development that provides ̓ economic prosperity, promotes social well-being, and preserves a healthy environment. For many years, the Arrow Group has worked proactively with the TteS community to find opportunities for economic reconciliation, training and employment, and capacity growth and development.

The 2022 Joint Venture Agreement expands upon TteS’ existing relationship with the Arrow Group, with the goal of identifying projects on TteS’ ancestral unceded territory that offer the potential to partner for mutual benefit. The new Community Benefit Agreement is tied specifically to the Arrow Group’s fibre operations in the Central Interior region.

“Arrow Group companies have been operating in Kamloops for more than 60 years, and we have strong local ties, including with Tkemlúps te Secwépemc and its members,” says Tim Bell, the Arrow Group’s Executive Vice President. “Our approach to business is to ̓ find ways to create lasting relationships with communities wherever we can, with the goal of building capacity and strengthening local economies in a sustainable way. After more than a decade partnering successfully on a variety of projects and community initiatives, we are excited by the way our relationship with TteS continues to evolve and look forward to identifying opportunities to be TteS’ partner of choice on many projects together in the future!”

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Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc (TteS)’s Business and Economic Development Department is excited to have partnered with Forward Law, Sureus-Murphy and Urban Systems to make a permanent Pride Crosswalk possible at Chief Louis Centre.

Located at the intersection of Powwow Trail and Chief Eli LaRue Way, this Pride Crosswalk is a way of celebrating, supporting, and creating awareness of the 2SLGBTQQIA++ community in Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc and beyond.

Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir stated that “TteS is proud of the new permanent installation of its Pride Crosswalk. We are a community that is open, responsive, and respectful of the rights and individuality of all people. Everyone matters and deserves to be treated with dignity. Our members and all those that visit our community will know that we are inclusive and welcoming, which are our values as Secwépemc.”

“The Business and Economic Development Department is honoured to be able to support the organization of this initiative and are grateful to our stakeholder partners that supported the crosswalk and invested back into the community,” said Devin Gambler, Manager, Business & Economic Development.

Signage will be added to the crosswalk this month; highlighting Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc’s commitment to promote, educate, and drive awareness to benefit the 2SLGBTQQIA++ community.

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In his latest collection, Secwépemc rancher and renowned poet Garry Gottfriedson explores the fraught mechanics of contemporary masculinity, politics and love. Gottfriedson’s work unapologetically unveils the truth of Canada’s treatment of First Nations and he has spoken openly in the New York Times about his experiences at the Kamloops Residential “School.”

Bent Back Tongue is a raw examination of love, identity, politics, masculinity, and vulnerability. Through sharp honesty and revealing satire, Gottfriedson delves into Canadian colonialism and the religious political paradigms shaping experiences of a Secwépemc First Nations man. This is a book that tears through deceptions that both Canada and the church impose on their citizens. Gottfriedson tackles the darkest layers of a shared colonial history; at the same time, the poems in Bent Back Tongue are a celebration of love, land, family, and the self.

Garry Gottfriedson is a Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc band member from Kamloops, BC. He is strongly rooted in his Secwépemc cultural teachings. He holds a Masters of Arts Education Degree from Simon Fraser University. Gottfriedson has ten published books, including Clinging to Bone and Skin Like Mine, and has presented his work across Canada, United States, South America, New Zealand, Europe, and Asia. Currently, he works at Thompson Rivers University.

Bent Back Tongue can be purchased at all major bookstores and online:
Caitlin Press

Learn more about Garry Gottfriedson and Bent Back Tongue: Bent Back Tongue PR.pdf

Monday, September 19, 2022, the date of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, will be marked in Canada with a national holiday. Per the direction of the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) Executive Director of Finance and the Executive Director of Member Services, TteS will recognize this federally legislated holiday. TteS offices will be closed on Monday, September 19, 2022, re-opening Tuesday, September 20 at 8am.

Update on the Band Reparations Class Action – trial starts Monday September 12, 2022 in Vancouver, B.C.

On Monday, September 12 representative plaintiffs shíshálh Nation and Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc begin their fight for compensation for the collective harm suffered as a result of the residential school system, including in particular the loss of and damage to our languages and cultures. In total, 326 First Nations across Canada have joined the Band Reparations lawsuit as class members.

The trial starts on September 12, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at the Federal Court in Vancouver, BC, and is expected to last six to eight weeks. The trial will be broadcast live online on the Zoom platform. Those wishing to watch will need to register with the Federal Court here:
https://cas-satj.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p-zrAg2WSfqtFS-ZBPWK-g

During the trial, the court will decide whether Canada is legally responsible for the collective harms suffered by bands as a result of residential schools, including in particular loss of language and culture.

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After a two-year hiatus from the Kamloops Pride Week Celebrations due to COVID, TteS is honoured to be celebrating Kamloops Pride Week 2022. The Pride Week activities are being held on the direct ancestral lands of Tk’emlúpsemc.

As an organization, we are committed to the fundamental values of respect, equality, and inclusivity for all. Pride week allows us the opportunity to hold space for and celebrate the contributions of the 2SLGBTQQIA++ communities. It is also time to reflect on the progress that has been made and acknowledge that there is still work to be done to ensure that everyone feels safe in being who they are.

TteS continues to be an ally and walk in solidarity with the 2SLGBTQQIA++ communities. It is all our responsibilities to ensure equal rights and representation of diverse sexual and gender identities.

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After a two year absence, Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS), is honoured to be the host community for the 41st Annual Kamloopa Pow Wow on July 29 to 31, 2022 here on our beautiful and direct ancestral lands.

We welcome all our members and guests to come and participate in the Pow Wow events or witness and enjoy the celebration of the rich and vibrant culture from across Turtle Island.

This is a cultural event, and as such, it is anticipated that everyone will ensure that they act in a respectful, courteous and appropriate manner. Extra security has been hired to ensure that this important event remains safe for all those that attend.

With this extreme heat, we are asking attendees to take extra care in looking after yourselves. For those that need a break from the heat, there is a Cooling Centre located in the Sandman Centre, downtown Kamloops, which is open daily from noon to 8pm.

For the health of everyone attending, if you are not feeling well or are showing any COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home.

During Kamloopa, the sacred site (the location of the Le Estcwicwéý or the missing children) is not open to the public and we request that all be respectful of the Monument by the residential school.

Again, we welcome you to Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and hope you enjoy Kamloopa. Let’s come together safely in celebration.

Yours truly,
Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc

Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir (Chief)
On behalf of Council

Weytkp Xwexwéyt-tp,

After a two-year hiatus from the Kamloopa Pow Wow due to COVID, Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc (TteS), is honoured to be the host community for the 41st Annual Kamloopa Pow Wow on July 29 to 31, 2022 here on our beautiful and direct ancestral lands.

Part of our role as the host community is to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all people to come and learn, witness, and enjoy the celebration of our rich and vibrant culture from across turtle island.

We share in the responsibility to address systemic racism and to eliminate gendered violence. TteS Chief and Council continue to be committed to creating an inclusive environment and addressing these very important issues that our communities have been facing for far too long.

We want our people and our guests to continue to be proud of this amazing event that showcases our heritage and culture and welcoming more than 1,300 dancers and up to 25,000 spectators.

We thank and support the Kamloopa Pow Wow Society for taking corrective steps to address the outdated rules. Those rules do not reflect TteS values. TteS Chief and Council endorses the implementation of a National Action Plan that addresses violence against Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, and 2SLGBTQQIA++. They are our people and are our ḱwséltkten, our family, and we all hold them dear and are honoured to be walking in solidarity and unity with each other. We are committed to ending racism and discrimination and we must all do our part to do for better our children and future generations.

Kukwstsétselp.

Respectfully,

Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir
On behalf of Council and our Membership

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From the Office of the Chief –

On behalf of Tk̓emlúps Council, I would just like to say Yerí7 re sxexé7 (congrats) to all the TteS graduates of 2022. 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.

Challenges will always be there, so it is up to you how to face them and grow and learn from them.

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 Tk̓emlúpsemc. 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.

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 2022!! You did it and we wish you success in all your endeavors. Le7es ke7s w7ec wel me7 yews!! ( we wish you the best forever/always!!)

Yours truly,
Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc
Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir (Chief)
On behalf of Council

Post-Secondary Graduates
Melissa Mathias
Kylie Pilkington
Keanna Pilkington
Laurie Ahdemar
Lachanda Michel
Ethan Bottle
Gabrielle Boucher
Whitney Evans
Yvonne Fortier
Jenna Myers
Christopher Paul
Jaden Stefanyk
Vinette Manuel