Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc — Traditional Territory of the Secwépemc,
British Columbia
We honour the experiences
of Survivors of the Kamloops Indian Residential School and
acknowledge the continued impacts on the intergenerational Survivors.
Today, Kúkpi7 (Chief)
Rosanne Casimir of the Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc, the Honourable
Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, and Colleen
Erickson, Board Chair of the First
Nations Health Authority (FNHA), are pleased to jointly announce
$12.5 million in federal funding towards the construction of a new
healing centre at Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc.
This funding follows a
commitment made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau affirming the
Government of Canada’s support to establish a healing centre at
Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc during his October 2021 visit to the
community. This safe space will provide trauma-informed programs to
support individuals and their families in their spiritual, mental,
emotional and physical healing. Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc
has selected an architect to lead the construction process and will
be working with the membership to create a welcoming design.
The federal funding is in
addition to previously committed funds by the FNHA toward healing
initiatives at Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc. Following the discovery of
215 unmarked graves
at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School (KIRS),
the FNHA supported Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc with $2.5 million
in funding to help address the intergenerational and residential
school impacts experienced by the community, as well as other
communities during that difficult time. The FNHA has also provided an
additional $1.3 million to assist the community with the
engagement and planning, and will continue to work in partnership
with the community to establish this innovative healing centre.
Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc
chose, by a community referendum, to keep the Kamloops Indian
Residential School building that the federal government formerly
owned. The community views its preservation as a reminder of the
ongoing legacy of the residential school system, ensuring that its
history is never forgotten.
Canada has also committed
up to $1.5 million to assess the feasibility of possible structural
renovations and design upgrades to the Kamloops Indian Residential
School building, with the goal of determining what funding would be
needed for future work. This contribution stems from the
$100.1 million, announced by the Government of Canada in August
2021, to help communities begin to address on-reserve school
buildings and associated sites that were once used for residential
schools.
Addressing the harms
suffered by Survivors, their families and communities is at the heart
of reconciliation and is essential to renewing and building
relationships among Indigenous Peoples, governments, and all
Canadians.
Quotes
“The legacy of
residential schools is one that has tried to take our culture,
language, and identity from us, causing profound damage. The healing
house will provide culturally appropriate supports that will help to
address these long-standing impacts. It will support healing for our
Survivors and those impacted by Kamloops Indian Residential School,
leading to healthier futures for our children and those not yet born.
We look forward to working with the First Nations Health Authority on
the implementation of our healing house and providing opportunities
for our people to thrive with resources that will now be available.
Trust goes a long way when
words and actions are in sync. Following through with the commitment
to provide sustainable funding for the healing centre, which will
support the need of addressing the intergenerational mental trauma
caused by the experience at KIRS, is a step towards that positive
path forward.”
Kúkpi7
(Chief) Rosanne Casimir
Tḱemlúps
te Secwépemc
“Two
years ago, the discovery
of 215 burial sites at the former Kamloops Residential School,
as well as unmarked graves at other former residential school sites,
shocked the country. The community of Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc led
the way in opening the nation’s eyes to the truths that were always
known by Indigenous Peoples. Now, Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc paves the
way in showing what is possible along the healing journey. Canada
will continue to support the Survivors, their families and the
affected communities through their healing journeys, on their own
terms.”
The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous
Services
“We
acknowledge the leadership of Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc in lifting up
this good work in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada and the
FNHA. We look forward to the ongoing work in support of this
precedent-setting healing model.”
Colleen
Erickson
Board
Chair, First Nations Health Authority
“We
must never forget what happened and preserve the memory of these
little ones forever. We must also ensure this never happens again and
that will only occur when we have our own fiscal powers and
jurisdiction. Only then will we achieve reconciliation with Canada.”
Manny
Jules, Chair of the 13 Grassroots Advisory Council
Tḱemlúps
te Secwépemc
“The
FNHA is committed to collaborative and innovative approaches with
First Nations communities and other health partners to ensure the
provision of culturally safe mental health and wellness supports for
First Nations people in BC. In partnership with Tḱemlúps te
Secwépemc and Indigenous Services Canada, FNHA is pleased to fund
and support the new healing house that will help to address needs for
trauma-based healing. These funds are separate from additional funds
earlier provided by FNHA and other federal and provincial partners
for healing and related needs at Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc.”
Richard
Jock
CEO,
First Nations Health Authority
“The
Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc healing centre is a great example of
service delivery models and solutions that are self-determined by
First Nations at the community level and grounded in Indigenous
knowledge and healing practices. I hold my hands up to the First
Nations leaders and community members who made this happen. This is
exactly the kind of system transformation that will help improve the
health and wellness for First Nations people in BC.”
Wade
Grant
Board
Chair, First Nations Health Council
Quick
facts
A
National
Residential School Crisis Line
is available to provide support to former residential school
students who need to access emotional and crisis referral services
by calling the 24-hour National Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.
Associated
links
For
more information, media may contact:
Kúkpi7
Rosanne Casimir
Chief, Media
Relations
Tḱemlúps
te Secwépemc
250-819-2255
kukpi7.rosanne@ttes.ca
Zeus Eden
Press
Secretary
Office of the Minister of
Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
zeus.eden@sac-isc.gc.ca
Kevin
Boothroyd
Director,
Media and Government Relations
First Nations
Health Authority
604-831-4898
kevin.boothroyd@fnha.ca
Media Relations
Indigenous
Services Canada
819-953-1160
media@sac-isc.gc.ca
