National
INDIGENOUS Peoples Day
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The discovery of the remains of 215 children on the grounds of the former residential school in Kamloops in May is a stark reminder that we cannot ignore the past and must continue working toward a stronger and better future for Indigenous peoples. During National Indigenous History Month and beyond, we encourage our employees and others to learn about the history, heritage, and diversity of Indigenous peoples across the nation. Today is a day to celebrate and honour the history, recognize the strength, and celebrate the resilience of Indigenous communities across Canada.
CELEBRATES
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY “New Gold ell Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwépemc, ell Tk’emlúpsemc ell Skeetchestnemc te Secwépemc, “Me7 élkstwecw-kt es p’7ecws yegwyégwt-kt” “New Gold and Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwepemc Nation (SSN), as represented by Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc (TteS) and the Skeetchestn Indian Bands (SIB), working together for a stronger future.”
New Afton values your feedback. If you would like to get in touch, call (250) 377-2100 or email info@newgold.com.
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National Indigenous Peoples Day
A IMPORTANT DAY OF PRIDE — AND REFLECTION ALLEN DOUGLAS/KTW
A message from Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir, on behalf of the Tk’emlups council. ational Indigenous Peoples Day, on June 21, will be a delightful pause at the start of summer, when we gather with families, friends and neighbours and celebrate Secwépemc culture. It is always so uplifting to witness the celebration of the diversity of Indigenous cultures and heritage, as well as acknowledge the many outstanding contributions and achievements of Indigenous peoples locally and across Canada. We take pride in being Tk’emlúpsemc (the people of the confluence) and Secwépemc. To see our little ones learning Secwépemctsín and drumming and to see our Elders laughing and visiting together virtually is heartwarming. At the same time, we reflect on the experiences and sacrifices of our ancestors.
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The missing children of the Kamloops Indian “Residential School are bringing us together. It is up to us to hear their stories and messages and work together for the benefit of future generations. — TK’EMLUPS KUKPI7 ROSANNE CASIMIR
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We are so thankful for our Elders, language speakers and Knowledge Keepers. We take heart in the continuation of our ceremonies, our language, caretaking of our lands, resources and people. This year is far more sombre as we shared with the world a horrific knowing brought to light — the preliminary findings of 215 unmarked graves of children located at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. This is part of the legacy of the residential school system that saw thousands of Indigenous children across Canada involuntarily taken from their families to attend schools, where the goal was to assimilate them into the colonial society. Some children never returned home, with no explanation offered to their families. The Kamloops Indian Residential School was the largest school of the federally run Indian residential school system. See A TIME TO REMEMBER, C4
Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21
Welcome to the
— Skeetchestn Indian Band — Honoring Our Secwepemc Language, Culture and Spiritual Customs.
Savona, B.C. skeetchestn.ca
Safer and healthier communities. Together. FNESS Honours National Indigenous Peoples Day. We recognize and appreciate the uniqueness, beauty, strength and resiliency of our communities.
www.fness.bc.ca | Follow us on Facebook @FNESS.BC and Twitter @fnessinfo1
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National Indigenous Peoples Day
A time to remember the strength of our people From C3
The school opened in 1890 and was administered by the Roman Catholic Church. In 1969, the federal government took over administration of the school, which no longer provided any classes and was operated as a residence for students attending local day schools. The residence was closed in 1978. Indigenous peoples across the country are grieving. We are grieving the loss of our loved ones. We are dealing with our own emotions and we support survivors of residential schools who are reliving their painful and traumatic residential school experiences. There is collective pain in our communities and Tk’emlúps is at the centre of this pain. Every Indigenous person in Canada has been impacted by residential
Tk’emlups te Secwepemc Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir.
schools, either directly through family relations or via intergenerational trauma. Our people are finally being heard after so many years of silence and disbelief about the deaths of children in residential schools.
We, as Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, are working with our community members regarding our role as caretaker for these children. We ask that people respect our space to host our ceremonies and plan an approach. For the safety of Tk’emlúps and those who are gathering, we must remember that we are all still in the midst of a pandemic and ensure that when we meet, everyone is adhering to appropriate protocols. We ask that all who wish to come to the school to conduct large scale ceremonies to please contact us by email at KIRS@ kib.ca. Having communities and organizations work with us will ensure everyone has the appropriate time and space and that there are all the necessary safety protocols, resources and space
In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day Today and every day, our Safeway store is committed to supporting Indigenous teammates, communities and individuals, especially at this time. We stand in solidarity with the Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc community.
are in place. On behalf of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, I would also like to say Kukwstép-kucw (on behalf of all of us, we thank you all) for the outpouring of support. We are very grateful for all the offers of help, your kind words, donations and volunteers. One of the best ways to support Tk’emlúps is to know your history on residential schools and honour and listen to our peoples’ truths and experiences. I would encourage all to visit the Truth and Reconciliation website (trc.ca) and read the Final Report and Calls to Action. Indigenous peoples continue to deal with the past genocidal policies of the colonial system. Racism and discrimination are still part of government policies and processes and our legal, health and education
Celebrating
unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements of the Aboriginal peoples.
Peter Milobar, MLA
Todd Stone, MLA
618B Tranquille Rd, Kamloops, BC Phone: 250.554.5413 Toll Free: 1.888.299.0805 peter.milobar.mla@leg.bc.ca
446 Victoria St., Kamloops, BC Phone: 250.374.2880 Toll Free: 1.888.474.2880 todd.stone.mla@leg.bc.ca
Kamloops – North Thompson
750 Fortune Drive, Kamloops, BC PROUDLY CANADIAN
safeway.ca
250.376.4129
systems. It is time to face those issues head-on. Personally, I am grateful for our family, community, nation and other nations as we stand beside and support one another. I am humbled by all the survivors who have stepped forward to share their stories and respect those who are not ready or do not want to share theirs. The missing children of the Kamloops Indian Residential School are bringing us together. It is up to us to hear their stories and messages and work together for the benefit of future generations. This National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day to remember the strength of our people, the real history of Canada and all of the lost children of residential schools who never returned to their families.
PeterMilobarKNT/ @PeterMilobar
Kamloops – South Thompson
ToddGStone/ @toddstonebc
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WEDNESDAY, June 16, 2021
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National Indigenous Peoples Day The story behind National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. It is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Canadian Constitution recognizes these three groups as Aboriginal peoples, also known as Indigenous peoples. Although these groups share many similarities, they each have their own distinct heritage, language, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. In co-operation with Indigenous organizations, the federal government chose June 21, the summer solstice, for National Aboriginal Day, now known as National Indigenous Peoples Day. For generations, many Indigenous peoples and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near that day due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year. National Aboriginal Day was proclaimed in 1996 as a result of consultations and statements of support for such a day made by various Indigenous groups. On June 21, 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement announcing the intention to rename this day National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day MNBC stands with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Nation and all Indigenous peoples impacted by residential schools, including our Métis children.
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National Indigenous Peoples Day
Rich Secwépemc history here in the present
O
nce pandemicrelated restrictions allow, a trip to the Secwépemc Museum and Heritage Park is a must for those interested in learning the cultural history of the First Nations people of the Thompson Valley. While history books chronicle historical information about Aboriginal peoples, the Secwépemc museum provides a unique perspective into the local First Nations community that has called the banks of the Thompson River home for thousands of years. The museum exhibits incorporate the oral history and legends of the Secwépemc people, along with historical photographs, illustrations and artifacts.
Members of the Shuswap Nation adorn this map inside the
Secwépemc Museum and Heritage Park. The museum exhibits incorporate the oral history and legends of the Secwépemc people, along with historical photographs, illustrations and artifacts. KTW FILE PHOTO
The museum is used as a repository and has hundreds of artifacts discovered through archaeological digs. Artifacts
displayed in the museum are up to 10,000 years old. The collection is so large that space is very limited.
Additionally, a five-hectare park includes more than a kilometre of trails through the archaeological remains of a Secwépemc winter village. The trail leads visitors through the 2,000-year-old village site, four reconstructed winter pit houses and a summer village. The village features a tule mat lodge, hunting lean-to, fishdrying rack, fish trap, smoke house and traditional plant foods. The heritage park also
features the Secwépemc Ethnobotanical Gardens, divided into five zones, each representing a different ecosystem found within the Secwépemc territory. Interpretive signs located at each garden describe the ecosystem in which the plants grow naturally. The Secwépemc Museum and Heritage Park is located at 200-330 Chief Alex Thomas Way, at Highway 5 and Shuswap Road. While the museum is currently closed to personal visits due to pandemic-related restrictions, the facility is offering 40-minute presentations via Zoom. For more information, call 250-682-6854 or visit the museum’s website at secwepemcmuseum.ca.
CFDC of CIFN CFDC of CIFN is here to support. Our hearts & prayers go out to everyone.
WEDNESDAY, June 16, 2021
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Welcome to Secwepemc Territory....
This National Indigenous People's Day, the Quaaout Lodge, and Little Shuswap Lake Band will be honoring and celebrating our Secwepemc culture virtually through local community members.
Virtual Event Details: quaaoutlodge.com/calendar June 21st 10:00am - 1:00pm
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The District of Barriere joins in celebrating Indigenous People’s Day on June 21st and continues to respect and honor the heritage, language and culture of our First Nations friends each and every day of the year.
National Indigenous Peoples Day The District of Logan Lake is honoured to pay respect to our First Nations friends and neighbours and to celebrate their heritage, culture, language and
achievements on National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Indigenous Peoples DAY NATIONAL
HAPPY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY TO EVERYONE IN SECWEPEMCUL’ECW
Every Child Matters Monday, June 21, 2021
The Village of Chase is honoured to be part of celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day in beautiful Secwepemc territory. 1886 Little Shuswap Lake Rd • Chase BC • V0E 1M2 • tel 250.679.3203 • fax 250.679.3220
The Shuswap Nation Tribal Council
HONORING OUR INDIGENOUS CULTURE AND FRIENDS ON NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY
Formed in 1980 as an effort of Secwepemc Chiefs to advance the issue of aboriginal rights, honour Aboriginal Day for all Indigenous people. They will continue to advance their languages, cultures, and traditions. 680 West Athabasca St, Kamloops, BC • 778-471-8200 fb.com/shuswapnation
144 Briar St, Kamloops, BC • 250-554-4556 www.sntcasets.com
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National Indigenous Peoples Day
Helping those in need with ‘Indigenous lens’
ON THE COVER KTW’s Dave Eagles captured this shot in May 2017 at Jacko Lake (the lake and ecosystem is known by First Nations as Pipsell). Little Fawn Nursery student Payton Samson (centre) reacts as he meets a good-sized rainbow trout with the help of knowledge keeper Ed Jensen (left) and language teacher Rhonda Jules.
JESSICA WALLACE
STAFF REPORTER
jessica@kamloopsthisweek.com
Kamloops This Week operates on the traditional lands of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc within Secwépemc'ulucw, the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc. 10% OF THE GROSS ADVERTISING REVENUES FROM THIS PUBLICATION ARE BEING DONATED TO TK’EMLÚPS TE SECWÉPEMC If you wish to make your own donation you can do so by e-transfer to donations@kib.ca
WWW.KAMLOOPSTHISWEEK.COM 250-374-7467 • 1365B DALHOUSIE DR
Kamloops’ Out Of The Cold (OOTC) program has seen positive results since implementing services geared toward its Indigenous clientele. Operating two days per week out of The Loop location at Tranquille Road and MacKenzie Avenue in North Kamloops, the local charity feeds and shelters homeless individuals with a focus on Indigenous people who make up a majority of their clientele. OOTC executive direc-
tor Dina Lambright said the organization is providing “an Indigenous lens” with services as about 70 per cent of the people they help are Indigenous. Since November 2020, OOTC has had offerings such as Indigenous foods — including take-out bannock and salmon dinners — native medicine bags filled with sage, sweetgrass, tobacco and cedar, talking circles, visits from spiritual healers, elders and drummers. “Drumming is healing,” Lambright said, noting it elicited tears in the eyes of one participant.
“When Indigenous people sing their songs, it reminds them of who they are and allows them to share their culture with each other and other people in a safe space.” Connections are also made with other service providers, like the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Centre. According to OOTC, there has been good feedback from guests, who have said they appreciate the cultural support as much as the food and shelter. See A RETURN, C9
Honoring our Culture on National Indigenous Peoples Day
EVERY CHILD
MATTERS
On June 21st Interfor proudly joins with Indigenous people and communities in celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day. Interfor enjoys strong relationships with Indigenous communities and acknowledges and respects their resilience, tenacity, and culture.
Adams Lake Indian Band 250-679-8841
www.adamslakeband.org
“Every child matters.”
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National Indigenous Peoples Day
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A return to traditional foods at The Loop From C8
With a laugh, Lambright said people around The Loop still ask, “When’s the bannock lady coming back?” She said others were humbled to again eat their traditional foods when OOTC recently served a salmon dinner. “I think it was important for us to make sure [they had] that food security and try and give that back,” Lambright said. “The white person took that away from them. Maybe we could give it back.” Lambright noted that, recently, it has been difficult for some of the Indigenous clientele to cope amidst the announcement by Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc that the remains of 215 children had been found in individual unmarked graves on grounds of the former Kamloops Residential Indian School. The news, Lambright said, had
medicine bags in high demand. Lambright noted the agency serves about 150 meals per day. In the winter, at the shelter space, OOTC was seeing, on average, 250 people stop in per week until the end of March. OOTC has continued since, operating during the daytime on Fridays and between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on and Saturdays, thanks to a grant from the City of Kamloops. “I think people are embracing us,” Lambright said. She said OOTC has branched out from being only an overnight shelter to becoming more of a communitydriven project — and that community is primarily Indigenous. Lambright pointed to Canada’s colonial past and the residential school system when asked why Indigenous people make up such a large percentage of the homeless population OOTC serves, “What did we expect?”
Lambright asked. At the moment, OOTC is aiming to offer its Out Of The Heat shelter to help Kamloopsians escape the hot summer temperatures over the next few months. It is also hoping to maintain its current funding until Nov.1, when it plans to operate the Out Of The Cold shelter again over winter. OOTC is always looking for volunteers and donations, be it cash or in-kind support. Those interested in volunteering their time or making a donation can contact Lambright via email at ootcexecutivedirector@gmail.com.
A pair of drummers visit The Loop as part of the OOTC program which is offering services geared toward its Indigenous clientele. THE LOOP PHOTO
City of Kamloops Office of the Mayor
National Indigenous Peoples Day JUNE 21, 2021
Kelly Funk
National Indigenous Peoples Day
ACKNOWLEDGE LISTEN SUPPORT
On behalf of my colleagues on City Council, I invite you to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 by deepening your understanding of Indigenous culture and history. Our hearts and support is with all Indigenous Peoples and we are committed to learning and taking action. We feel honoured to have a long-standing relationship with the Kamloops and area First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, and look forward to continued collaboration between our communities. Sincerely, Mayor Ken Christian Councillor Dale Bass Councillor Dieter Dudy Councillor Sadie Hunter Councillor Mike O’Reilly
Kamloops.ca
Councillor Bill Sarai Councillor Kathy Sinclair Councillor Arjun Singh Councillor Denis Walsh
Mt. Paul Golf Course
250.374.4653 mountpaulgolf.com
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National Indigenous Peoples Day
We are in the land of the people of the confluence
T
he word “Kamloops” is the English translation of the Shuswap word Tk’emlúps, meaning “where the rivers meet” and for centuries has been the home of the Tk’emlúpsemc, “people of the confluence.” At one time, the Secwépemc people occupied one large traditional territory covering approximately 145,000 square kilometers. In 1811, after European contact, the colonial government divided the Secwépemc people into 17 distinct groups, with specific parcels of land designated to each. The Kamloops reserve land base was established in 1862 under the direction of Gov. James Douglas. It is located east of the North Thompson River and north of
the South Thompson River, adjacent to the City of Kamloops. Tk’emlúps has always occupied a place of great economic importance in the region. Traversed by two major waterways, traditional Tk’emlúpsemc territory was the centre of major traffic and trade routes. Due to the community’s great economic and military strength, as well as its ancestors’ pivotal role in the creation of peace accords, the Tk’emlúpsemc were designated the Secwépemc7uwi, “the real Shuswap.” The Tk‘emlúpsemc, now known as the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, are members of the Interior-Salish Secwépemc (Shuswap)-speaking peoples of B.C. The Secwépemc people occupy a vast territory of the interior of the province, stretching from the Columbia River Valley along the Rocky Mountains, west to
the Fraser River and south to the Arrow Lakes. The traditional Secwépemc lived as a self-governing nation grouped into bands. Although the bands were separate and independent, a common language and a similar culture and belief system united them. Before the smallpox epidemic of 1862, there were 32 Secwépemc bands with four Secwépemc dialects. Today, there are 17 remaining bands that make up the Secwépemc Nation and three Secwépemc dialects. Traditionally, the Secwépemc depended on the natural resources of the land. Each band usually spent the winter in its own village of pit houses. During the rest of the year, most Secwépemc people lived a nomadic lifestyle.
They moved from place to place as foods became available in different areas. They developed a unique, self-sufficient culture. Two European fur trading posts were established in Kamloops in 1812, utilizing Indigenous skills to harvest animal populations, such as beaver. By 1826, the effects of trapping on these populations were already noticeable. Population increased in the Kamloops area — in the late 1850s with gold miners, followed by ranchers in the 1860s and railway workers in the 1880s. Chief Louis, born in 1828, was Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc chief from 1855 until his death in 1915. Petit Louis, or Hli Kleh Kan, was a dominant figure in the development of the Kamloops region and the construction of St. Joseph’s Church. On several occasions, he went
to Ottawa in an attempt to negotiate for more land for his people and travelled to England to plead the case for the band to Queen Victoria. His leadership did much to improve conditions for the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc during white settlement. The pre-contact Kamloops economy had three sectors: fishing, gathering (roots and berries) and hunting. The relative importance of these has been much discussed in the archaeological and anthropological literature. A reasonable guess for the ratio of the sectors in the diet of the people at the time of first contact with Europeans is about one-third fish (principally salmon), one-third roots and berries and one-third hunted meat. — tkemlups.ca
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The Horse Barn is proud to honour Kamloops’ First Nations community on
National Indigenous Peoples Day THE
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WE HONOUR KAMLOOPS FIRST NATIONS ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY! EVERY T R CHILD O P P U S WE U! MATTERS O Y
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459 TRANQUILLE RD., KAMLOOPS, BC
OPEN TUES TO FRI 10 AM-5 PM • SAT 10 AM- 4PM • SUN, MON & HOLIDAYS CLOSED
In Honour & Respect of Indigenous Culture National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21, 2021
Ken Humpherville MASTER CARVER
SAHALI 1210 Summit Dr.
BROCKLEHURST 1800 Tranquille Rd.
VALLEYVIEW 2101 ETC Hwy.
WESTSYDE 3435 Westsyde Rd.
DOWNTOWN 450 Lansdowne St.
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Honouring National Indigenous Peoples Day
How to support Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc 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 Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. Here are some suggestions. A. Please be respectful of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc cultural protocols and primary lead as the caretaker of these lost loved ones. We are doing so with love, honour, and respect. We have and will continue to reach out to communities and Nations whose members attended the Kamloops Indian Residential School to determine the next steps. B. Help ensure that there is not a tragedy upon a tragedy and uphold all Provincial Health and Safety orders. So many people throughout the province have been traumatized and are grieving because of this news and wanting to come together in ceremony and prayer. Please remember that we are still in the midst of a pandemic and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc members have not had their second Covid-19 vaccination. C. Protocols for Ceremony and Gatherings - For individuals or groups that want to hold gathering / ceremonies in the TteS community, it is appropriate protocol to have permission and approval of the TteS Chief and Council. It also assists the community in planning and preparation. D. Not clear or aware of the real history of residential school? Review the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Final Report and Calls to Action. In doing so, you are upholding the heavy lifting already done by the survivors, intergenerational survivors, and the TRC. In addition, to show your solidarity, we encourage you to wear an orange shirt and start conversations with your neighbours about why you are doing so. E. For non-Indigenous people, now is not the time to ask questions but to simply offer a kind ear to your Indigenous friends. This situation has opened a wound for so many. Please also take the time to learn about intergenerational trauma and its effects.
F. There is a memorial in front of the Kamloops Indian Residential School where you can leave notes, flowers or just to come to pay your respects in a COVID safe way. G. Many have asked if there was a way to make a financial contribution to support Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc in the process of honouring and learning more about the lost children in their caretaking. Donations will be used toward the work that is needed for further investigation (scientific and archival) and later memorialize the children (in collaboration with and shaped by TteS members, home communities and families of the children). Donations can be made at donations@kib.ca. Cheques can be made out to Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc and mailed to 200-330 Chief Alex Thomas Way, Kamloops, BC V2H 1H1 H. If you have an expertise that Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc may be able to make use of, please contact the K.I.R.S. team with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Language and Culture Department at kirs@kib.ca I.
If you have information about those that may be buried on this site, please contact the K.I.R.S. team with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Language and Culture Department at kirs@kib.ca
J. Please follow us on Facebook or monitor our website for the latest news. Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc will continue to provide updates on this situation as they become available.
Kukwstép-kucw (on behalf of all of us, we thank you all) for the outpouring of love, prayers for our community and all those impacted by this tragic finding.
www.tkemlups.ca