File photo (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

NEW DESIGNATION

‘This is reclamation’; Tk’emlúps Kúkpi7 Casimir discusses historical designation for former residential school site

Feb 13, 2025 | 4:24 PM

TK’EMLÚPS — The Kamloops Indian Residential School, which was in the building now known as the Chief Louis Centre, was opened in 1890, and closed in 1978. Those who attended were between the ages of four and 18, from over 108 communities and at least 38 different Indigenous nations from across British Columbia.

Now the school, along with three other properties on the site have been designated as a national historic site by the Government of Canada and Parks Canada.

“Our survivors, and our intergenerational survivors and those not yet born, they are going to be able to take pride in that real collective history is what is being made today,” said Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir.

The naming of the Residential School, along with Moccasin Square Gardens, a trades building, and the Annex as a historic site comes after collaborative work between the band and Parks Canada.

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“This here is a historic national heritage site and under that designation it’s recognizing the pains and the traumas and the historical aspects of how residential schools have impacted so many,” said Casimir.

While on Tk’emlúps territory, the residential school was home to Indigenous children from across B.C.

“It’s going to be a day to remember knowing that so many have travelled here to take back their spirit. But also about knowing that the history is not going to be erased, wherever they are. And that moving forward people will be educated,” said Casimir.

Many years ago, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc members voted to keep the school building and use it to teach about the impacts of residential schools on children and families, and to serve as a place for teaching Secwépemc language and culture.

“They did not want to see this residential school and the history it had on our people to be forgotten,” stated Casimir. “If this here residential school was not standing here it would be a real shame. It would be a shame because when you look at the architecture, you look at the school you get the real historical value of the impacts that it has had on our people.”

Tk’emlúps has made public plans to restore the building, citing asbestos and lead.

“There is some tender love and care that needs to take place and revitalizing the spaces to be able to create a healthier place and space for people to come to. And know that this is resilience, this is revitalization, this is reclamation.”

The school site will soon be home to a bronze plaque describing the significance of the site, ensuring that part of history is not soon forgotten.