The City of Kamloops and Tk’emlups te Secwepemc will join forces on Friday to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation for the first time. The collaborative event will take place at the Tk’emlups powwow grounds and will include a range of activities such as cultural teachings, tours of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, and a one-mile Orange Shirt Day Walk.
Tk’emlups Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir emphasized the significance of the day, stating, “The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day provides a crucial opportunity to demonstrate our allyship, honor survivors, and further our journey of healing and education.” She expressed gratitude for the partnership with the City of Kamloops, highlighting their shared commitment to advancing truth and reconciliation efforts.
The establishment of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was one of 94 calls to action outlined by Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015. The holiday was officially recognized only after the discovery of what are believed to be hundreds of unmarked graves by Tk’emlups officials at the former residential school site in spring 2021. This discovery led to the identification of numerous additional potential grave sites across Canada in subsequent months.
Kamloops Coun. Stephen Karpuk, serving as the city’s deputy mayor for September, encouraged community participation in the observance. “The city is honored to collaborate with Tk’emlups te Secwepemc in commemorating this day, established to remember the children who did not return home and the survivors of residential schools,” he remarked. “Our continued joint efforts are essential to advancing the reconciliation work that our communities have been diligently pursuing.”
The event is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., with the Orange Shirt Day Walk commencing at 3 p.m. Admission is free, and attendees are encouraged to wear orange shirts. A confidential investigation into the suspected graves at Tk’emlups remains ongoing, with updates from the band indicating continued progress.
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