Tk'emlups te Secwepemc prepare to mark one year since confirmation of evidence of unmarked graves
It has been almost exactly one year since the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc confirmed evidence of what elders and residential school survivors had been saying for years about missing children being buried on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.
The First Nation made the announcement to the world on May 27, four days after ground penetrating radar showed 215 possible unmarked graves at the site.
“When I first shared the news, it was devastating for many of our community members,” said Kúkpi7 Roseanne Casimir, Chief of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc. “It’s something that shook everyone to the core, and you know, it shook me to the core.”
On Monday, the First Nation will mark the sombre anniversary with a day of ceremony and solemn reflection.
“The memorial is going to be open to the public. We’re going to be welcoming everyone to come and participate and to be a part of the ceremony as well,” Casimir said.
The confirmation of the 215 potential graves in Kamloops served as a catalyst for a series of events across the country over the last 12 months.
Other First Nations began using ground penetrating radar to search for unmarked graves at the sites of other former residential schools and hundreds have been found.
Just one month after the Kamloops announcement, Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan confirmed it located 751 suspected unmarked graves.
On Wednesday, Saddle Lake First Nation called on the federal government to provide funding for a thorough search after finding unmarked graves near the former Blue Quills Indian Residential School.
NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
In the weeks leading up to July 1, grief and sorrow turned to anger for many Canadians.
Several Canada Day celebrations were replaced by marches and sombre ceremonies to honour residential school survivors and the children who never made it home.
“When I reflect from the day I had to share with the world the findings of the unmarked graves, and knowing that it has not only impacted myself, the community, those that live here, but has impacted the world,” said Casimir. “It just goes to show how connected and interconnected all of us are.”
In September, the federal government announced that September 30 would be a new national holiday called Truth and Reconciliation Day.
Casimir sent two invitations to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to visit the community to take part in a day of ceremony and sombre reflection on that day.
Trudeau did not respond to those requests, and instead flew over Kamloops on his way to Tofino for a family beach vacation.
The Prime Minister was very contrite on a hastily arranged visit three weeks later when he said he deeply regretted his decision.
“But I am here today to take the hand extended by the Tk'emlúps te Secwepemc and so many Indigenous Canadians across the country who have every reason in the world to feel pessimistic, and bleak about the future,” he said at the time.
PAPAL APOLOGY, VISIT
In April, a delegation of Indigenous, Métis and Inuit leaders visited the Vatican for a historic apology from Pope Francis.
“With all my heart, I am very sorry,” the Pope said, while promising to visit Canada.
He is widely expected to repeat his apology when he makes the trip in July. A stop in Kamloops is not on his itinerary. He is not scheduled to visit B.C. at all.
All of these events over the last 12 months can be traced back to the announcement of the 215 unmarked children’s graves in Kamloops.
“It was the children. It was children that brought us together. And that we mourn together and we grieve together,” said Casimir. “For many this is about our collective history and it’s about those meaningful steps moving forward.”
Further steps for the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc could include exhuming the remains so the missing children can be returned to their home communities with dignity.
If you are a former residential school student in distress, or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419, or the Indian Residential School Survivors Society toll free line at 1-800-721-0066.
Additional mental-health support and resources for Indigenous people are available here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.