Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Kúkpi7 candidate Joshua Gottfriedsen talks community safety, development projects

“I’ve seen a fracture at our table and a separation that I think needs to be addressed, and move toward more teamwork-based, consensus decision making,” he explains.

Gottfriedsen was unsuccessful in a 2018 run for Kúkpi7, but says the experience he’s gained in this most recent term on council has been invaluable.

“I sat in council and learned as much as I could, and gleaned as many learnings as I could from Kúkpi7 Rosanne and the rest of the Tk̓wenem7íple7 at the table.”

Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc made international headlines in 2021, with the Le Estcwicwéy̓ announcement surrounding the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. It sparked a higher level of discussion around Indigenous reconciliation — particularly around residential school system survivors and intergenerational survivors. Gottfriedsen says TteS’ work with the prime minister’s office needs to keep progressing.

“Bringing forward the opportunity to speak about the 215 (Le Estcwicwéy̓) and get that investigation going so that our people can get them to rest in their proper destinations, whether that be outside of community or inside,” he told CFJC News.

On a day-to-day scale, Gottfriedsen says there is a key concern he’s heard from membership.

“It’s definitely community safety,” he reiterates. “Bringing in more resources for our people to feel safe in their own community. To be able to walk their dogs or to go out and walk down to our beach or be able to access our various recreational areas and feel safe.”

Should he be elected as Kúkpi7, Gottfriedsen also wants to pick up the pace on several development projects, including a new youth centre.

“I think there’s an opportunity for us to all come together. And this spot (at the youth centre), why we picked it is I think it could be a hub for that. Bringing people together in the warmer months, and having picnics and get togethers so that we’re more unified.”

Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc will host its all-candidates forum for band members to attend at Moccasin Square Garden on Saturday October 26 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. As part of CFJC‘s election coverage, Friday (Oct. 25), a candidate profile will also be shared on incumbent Tk’emlúps Kúkpi7, Rosanne Casimir.

Advance voting will be held November 2 for TteS band members, electronic voting will be available between November 3 to 8, and final voting day is November 9.

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Kúkpi7 candidates include:

Rosanne Casimir
Joshua Gottfriedsen

Tk̓wenem7íple7 candidates include:

Marie Baptiste
Thomas Blank
Versal Camille
Nikki Fraser
Boyd Gottfriedson
Cam Gottfriedson
Chad Gottfriedson
Sonny Joseph Leonard
Daylin Malloy
David Manuel
Vicki W. Manuel
Myron Ray Alphonse Thomas

by Dylana Kneeshaw

Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Kúkpi7 candidate Joshua Gottfriedsen talks community safety, development projects

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