Rosanne Casmir (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

‘Meaningful steps’; Tk’emlups Kukpi7 sees progress on reconciliation under Trudeau’s time in office

Jan 8, 2025 | 7:30 PM

TK’EMLUPS — As Justin Trudeau’s time as prime minister of Canada begins to come to a close, questions will be posed as to what his lasting legacy will be.

Trudeau came into power in 2015 with grand ambitions, including in the realm of reconciliation with First Nations communities, pledging to remove all boil water advisories from reserves across the nation. Tk’emlups has worked closely with the Trudeau over the years on issues such as compensation for day scholars, and Le Estcwicwe´y (The Missing).

“When I look at the reconciliation, we are further ahead than nine years ago,” said Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir. “It was just being talked about, and when I look at it today, there have been some meaningful steps. We look at some of the accomplishments and achievements, such as UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People) and having First Nations being at the forefront, co-collaboration — in partnership but also being the ones to determine what free, prior and informed consent is.”

But Trudeau’s relationship with the local First Nation was not without challenges, rising to a crescendo on the first official Day for Truth and Reconciliation in 2021. Regardless of the past, Casmir hopes the next leader will continue the work on advancing true reconciliation in Canada.

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“There have been some missteps that were taken, and some of them he owned, but some of them he also forgot to rectify along the way. I know that working with a new government, it’s really important that those steps are not missed, and (new leaders will) take that time and the effort to really listen but also to build meaningful relationships,” stated Casimir.