City of Kamloops and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc unveil banners that represent togetherness

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops unveiled the first installation of a collaborative banner project with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) on Thursday (Oct. 7).

The banners on the exterior of City Hall were designed by local artist Lyle Paul, who worked through several concepts to find colours, images, and messaging that best represented both communities and their common bonds. These banners will be installed on light standards throughout Kamloops over the next month.

“The finding of the missing unmarked graves at residential schools this year, first in Kamloops and now across the country, has started a conversation that we want to engage in and has taught us lessons we want to continue learning,” Mayor Ken Christian states. “The new banners being installed around the city are a symbol of a lot more work taking place behind the scenes to build togetherness between our two communities.”

The City says the project concept began five years ago, but the timing of the installation this year, closely following the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, is of particular significance.