‘Healthier lifestyles, healthier tomorrows and new healthier beginnings’; Kukpi7 Casimir touts importance of healing centre

“It’s also going to be non-colonialist. It’s going to be a place where people can feel embraced, and safe and will provide resources that will address on the ground healing in the community. Culturally sensitive and appropriate,” said Kukpi7 Roseanne Casimir.

During her speech, Casimir took time to address the youngest people in attendance. Speaking to the importance of healing the community for the next generation.

“Most importantly when we are looking at the healing centre, the healing house, we are looking at the revitalization of our language and our culture, what was taken, what was lost. And more important it’s about doing it for our future generations and the children, and the children not yet born. And be able to provide them the tools for healthier lifestyles, healthier tomorrows and new healthier beginnings,” added Casimir.

Minister Hajdu has been in her post for almost two years. During the announcement on Thursday, the minister broke down emotionally at importance of the healing centre.

“This is really emotional work for all Canadians who are coming to grips with reality that residential schools meant in many cases families ripped apart, children as young as two or three years old removed from their family sometimes to never be reunited again. Parents and entire communities devoid by the laughter of children, their purpose to raise their children in fact removed from them as a community,” said Hajdu.

Manny Jules spoke on behalf of the ’13 grassroots families,’ thanking the government for funding but highlighting the work still needing to be accomplished.

“When you look at the impacts that residential schools had on us, it isn’t just about reclaiming our traditional past, and making sure that we find a way and path forward. It’s about dealing with the trauma that this health care and treatment centre will be about,” stated Jules.

While Casimir stated that more work is needed in terms working towards justice, healing and reconciliation, she noted Thursday’s announcement is another small step towards true reconciliation.

“This is about our survivors, our inter-generational survivors and it’s is also about the work that is yet to be done and will be taking place to get to that healing,” said Casimir. “It’s also about the commitment and the follow-through from the federal government to support what resources we need to move forward.”

As the work is still in the early design stages, the band was not able to provide a timetable for the building of the healing centre.

On top of the $12.5 million announced for the building of a healing centre, Tk’emlups also received an additional $1.5 million for possible upgrades to the Kamloops Indian Residential School.

The funding will be used to assess the feasibility of possible structural renovations and design upgrades for the century-old building. The purpose of the funding is to determine how much funding would be needed to complete future work on the site.

“That residential school has been standing since the late 1800s, and we know that there is asbestos in the wall, there is a lot of old paint. It’s really needs a lot of tender love and care,” said Casimir. “That feasibility will cover what work needs to be taken and done to look at the restoration to be able to support that journey moving forward, but also a better place and space for those that work and reside here as well.”

by Michael Reeve

‘Healthier lifestyles, healthier tomorrows and new healthier beginnings’; Kukpi7 Casimir touts importance of healing centre

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