2022
INDIGENOUSKAMLOOPS BUSINESS IN PROGRESS FOCUS KAMLOOPS PROGRESS CONNECT, INNOVATE & GROW
Rosanne Casimir is kúkpi7 (chief) of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc.
Looking forward with optimism Tk’émlúps continues its path to self-sustainability
I
by Rosanne Casimir want to extend my appreciation to Kamloops This Week for publishing Progress as it provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress that Tk’émlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) has made in the last year. The year 2021 was again a challenging one for all of us, with the ongoing pandemic, fires and floods. For TteS in particular, it was a devastating year with the discovery of the 215 unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. It was a discovery that left us, our relations and the world reeling as our truths were finally validated. Since our discovery, there have been other findings at former residential schools across the country, with likely more to come. We must believe now that Le Estcwicwéy (the missing children) have spoken, real healing can begin. The children have provided us a way to connect our First Nations history to the larger population that was not
possible before. As Canadians, we stood side by side in shock, pain and horror as human beings first, regardless of race. Through this gruesome discovery, truth telling has begun. Through Le Estcwicwéy, we used innovative technology to confirm the findings, which led us to connect in grief, resulting in growth and understanding of the importance of reconciliation and healing for our people. For a more traditional interpretation of Progress’s theme of Connect, Innovate and Grow, TteS, also has many achievements to celebrate this year. We are building a grocery store to service our members, as well as our neighbours. TteS is also moving forward on the Stswékstem (Strawberry Hill) Engineered Waste Management Facility. We are excited that after 23 years of no on-reserve member social housing, we have 10 new units for
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our elders at Tyee Park. TteS is also proud to be working with Telus to connect the remaining part of the main reserve to high-speed internet. This is a huge win for TteS as access to internet is becoming a basic human right in today’s society, for communication (especially during emergencies), education and work. This past year, the Federal Court approved a settlement agreement that resolves the day scholar and descendant claims, another step toward reconciliation. We continue to move forward to create a safer community for our members, resolve some outstanding infrastructure challenges and advocate politically on several fronts. We have been creative in continuing to engage with our membership and look forward to doing more in-person meetings, where we can come together and reconnect in a way that we haven’t been able to, due to the pandemic. We are so proud of our elders,
who were able to learn how to use technology to join meetings and stay connected to their families. It is our way, to gather as a community, and the loss of connection has been heavily felt. This pandemic has forced all of us to practise our resilience, which will be so much needed as our world continues to change and be impacted by climate change. We look to the future with great optimism. As a chief, I have committed to building a strong and supportive council that develops respectful and professional relationships with all internal and external parties. We will continue to strive toward self-sustainability while advancing our self-determination and continue our healing journey. I will end this with my personal motto, one I live by daily: “Know your passion, visualize your plan, collect your resources and be determined to succeed!”
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