(CFJC Today/File photo).
COMMUNITY IN MOURNING

Mayor Christian commits to resolution with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc; multiple spots in Kamloops to be draped in orange

Jun 1, 2021 | 4:44 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops council meeting on Tuesday (June 1) — the first since the discovery of 215 children’s remains buried on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School — began with a land acknowledgement and a moment of silence and reflection.

During his mayor’s report near the end of the meeting, Mayor Ken Christian had his first publicly spoken address on the discovery. Christian said during the meeting the heartbreak of the discovery is reflected by the community, based on the number of emails and pleas to respond.

He added that the members and leadership of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc have the commitment from council and city staff to work with them as they seek resolution.

“It won’t be done on the basis of European kinds of solutions. It will be done with sensitivity to the cultural norms of the Shuswap people and Secwepemculew, because it’s not just members of this band, but certainly the members of this band are front and centre,” Christian said. “It won’t be fast, and it won’t be simple, but it will be heartfelt, and it will be meaningful.”

Last night, several buildings, including Kamloops City Hall, the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, the Canada Games Pool, and Thompson Rivers University’s residence were draped in orange to recognize the survivors of the residential school system.

Because a large memorial can’t be organized amidst B.C.’s public health guidelines to halt the spread of COVID-19, Christian said the City of Kamloops will continue to do similar gestures to remind the Shuswap people and Secwepemculew people that they’re in the top of the city’s mind.