From the OFFICE OF THE CHIEF –
On March 12, 2023, Kúkpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir of the Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc (TteS), the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, and Colleen Erickson, Board Chair of the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), announced that there was $12.5 million in federal funding towards the construction of a new healing centre at Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc.
TteS wants to be clear that the Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc “House of Healing” is there to meet the needs of everyone who have been impacted by the Kamloops Indian Residential School (KIRS). Anyone who attended KIRS or any other Indian Residential school as a student, day scholar, or is an intergenerational survivor, will be able to have access to healing programs at Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc “House of Healing”.
The “House of Healing” located at Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc will be a safe space that incorporates trauma informed programs to support individuals and their families in their spiritual, mental, emotional and physical healing journey.
Secwépemc cultural values and teachings will be shared through a lens that is land based and trauma informed.
Tk’emlúpsemc te Secwépemc are yecwemínem (caretakers and stewards) of the sacred sites. Secwépemc Indigenous law determines the sustainable use of this land for the harmony and balance of all our relations.
The programs and services at the “House of Healing” located at Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc will help to create the healing foundation for many generations to come.