Proposed Healing House location. (Image Credit: TNRD)
Healing House

Tk’emlúps healing centre proposal passes first stage at TNRD, to go to public hearing

Oct 18, 2024 | 3:40 PM

KAMLOOPS — A healing centre proposed to help those who suffered as students at the Kamloops Residential School has taken another step forward.

At the Thompson Nicola Regional District’s (TNRD) Board of Directors meeting Thursday (Oct. 17), directors gave first and second reading to a bylaw that would rezone a portion of the former Harper Ranch property for the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Healing House.

The zoning amendment and official community plan amendments will now be taken to residents during a public hearing.

Proposed Healing House location. (Image Credit: TNRD)

The Healing House facility is proposed to include an Elder’s lodge and housing, and eventually add “regenerative agriculture, traditional and cultural land use practices to help nurture First Nations history and talent,” according to a TNRD report.

Last month, the Agricultural Land Commission approved removing of the land from the Agricultural Land Reserve.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed to funding the healing centre upon a visit to Tk’emlúps in 2021. In 2023, Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu confirmed the federal government would provide $12.5 million for the project through the First Nations Health Authority.

More details on the proposal can be found here.

Image Credit: DK Architecture
Proposed Healing House location. (Image Credit: TNRD)