(image credit - Facebook/Tammy Robertson)

By Michael Reeve

RECONCILIATION AWARD

‘Building those relationships is crucial’; Kamloops and Tk’emlups honoured in Victoria

Jan 13, 2023 | 4:11 PM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops and Tk’emlups te Secwepemc were recognized Thursday night (Jan. 12) in Victoria with a B.C. Reconciliation Award. The award was presented to Kamloops Deputy Mayor Dale Bass and Tk’emlups Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir. The communities were recognized for their commitment toward reconciliation through relationship-building that spans multiple fronts.

Casimir and Bass accepted the 2022 Reconciliation Award from B.C. Premier David Eby. They were honoured thanks to the city and band’s collaborative initiatives in areas of protocol, communication, community-to-community and knowledge-sharing meetings, cultural heritage and celebrations.

“It meant a lot because it just goes to show and reflects the relationship we have, and reflects all the work we are doing in collaboration. To do things for our respective communities but how they are mutually beneficial,” said Casimir.

Bass was quick to note that she believed she was not the correct person to accept the award, saying that city staff we’re deserving of the recognition.

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“Tammy (Roberston) was sitting there as a guest. And she and her team, Sarah Candido, and Rosanne’s people are the ones that did the work. We just said, ‘Go and do the work.’ However, it was nice to represent the city, accept the award and talk to some people about what we have been doing as partners up here,” said Bass.

Both Bass and Casimir agreed that, despite the recognition, more work is needed to push reconciliation forward.

“(Former mayor) Ken Christian set us in motion and he needs credit here, too, because he is the one who said we need to have a better relationship for reconciliation,” added Bass. “You will see us continue to do really great things. And I don’t think you will see us tooting our own horn about it. We just want to do the work. That’s all this council wants to do is do the work.”

Casimir believes that the collaborative reconciliation model of the city and the band can be a blueprint for other communities across Canada.

“With our relationship, that is something we are so willing to share, nationally, anywhere. Because it is so important in this time and era that building those relationships is crucial to the much-needed change that needs to happen,” stated Casimir.