City of Kamloops and Tk’emlups te Secwepemc strengthen partnership

A key document was signed by representatives of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc and City of Kamloops councillors and staff last week.

After three years of regular meetings, the terms of reference for a Joint Cultural Heritage Working Group was signed, Oct. 20, by Tk’emlups te Secwepemc Councillor Thomas Blank and city councillor Kathy Sinclair, under the leadership of Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir and Mayor Ken Christian.

The Joint Cultural Heritage Working Group is made up of Tk'emlups te Secwépemc and City of Kamloops councillors and staff. Its purpose is to ensure both partners implement an active and ongoing involvement in the protection, management, and interpretation of cultural heritage.

The collaboration appears to be the first of its kind and could act as a blueprint for other nations and municipalities.

“We have been working on a number of projects over the years to figure out how the City can work together with the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc so when we undertake certain projects it is done with both parties in the discussion,” Coun. Sinclair, who isa co-chair with the group, said. “We are looking at more nitty gritty topics and how they play out between the two governments.”

Sinclair said she has been taking turns hosting meetings with Tk’emlups te Secwepemc councillor and co-chair Thomas Blank, and has learned a lot by being a part of the group.

“The relationship is very important to us and I have been told other (First Nations) across the country are looking at us an example,” she said. “We are a country built on colonial history and that is where the truth comes in. The truth has to come in before the reconciliation.”

READ MORE: iN VIDEO: Orange shirts for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation came from Williams Lake

Sinclair said the group is supported and guided by other dedicated councillors and staff.

“I am very glad that the document was signed off,” Coun. Blank said. “It has been quite a process to understand where each group was at. The working group terms of reference are guided in the spirit of cooperation and partnership.”

More details about the group and the meeting will be released in the near future at on the City of Kamloops website here.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.