Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc release report findings and next steps in regard to the KIRS grave discoveries

On Thursday July 15, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops Indian Band) released the official findings about the investigation into the unmarked graves discovered near the property of the Kamloops Indian Residential School (KIRS).

"“We are here today to honour the missing children in our caretaking who may have experienced unthinkable circumstances leading to their death and whose remains were placed in unmarked graves. We are not here for retaliation. We are here for truth telling," said Kukpi7 (chief) Rosanne Casimir.

Dr. Sarah Beaulieu, ground penetrating radar (GPR) specialist, conducted the investigation and worked with Secwepemc knowledge keepers and cultural monitors from the beginning of the survey.

From May 21 to May 24, 7000 square metres of land was surveyed – including an apple orchard in the Secwepemc Museum and Heritage Park.

The releases explains that the area was chosen to survey based on the oral histories and the discovery of human remains in the area.

Dr. Beaulieu’s findings were supported by reports of ground disturbances from both archaeological assessments and construction in the area.

These reports were cross-examined to see which locations overlapped with the GPR survey areas and, in the end, the preliminary findings determined 200 targets of interest.

Dr. Beaulieu stressed the fact that this type of investigation only confirms the existence of burials. Definitive results will come from a forensic investigation that will include the excavation of the surveyed area.

Dr. Beaulieu confirmed that further remote sensing should be conducted to locate all possible burial sites.

Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc identified two critical actions that must be taken after these findings:

1. Acquirement of student attendance records – This includes full and complete disclosure of the records held by the Canadian Government and the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. This will support the identification of the unmarked graves.

2. Supports that enable Tk’emlúps te Secwépec – A budget as been compiled that will allow for the development and implementation of frameworks and process to further identify, document, maintain, commemorate and protect the remains, the site itself and any additional supports required.

The release explains that KIRS was the largest in the Indian Affairs residential school system and oral histories and records indicate that students came from across BC, Alberta and even the Yukon.

Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc explained more of the next steps that need to be taken:

• The home communities of the missing children must be fully included and duly resourced.

• The implementation of a healing centre and programs that are trauma informed and reflect the culture and values of the Secwépemc community, survivors and intergenerational survivors.

• The Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Oral Testimony Project will work to record, preserve and make accessible the shared experiences of survivors from KIRS, other schools and intergenerational survivors. More information will become available at a later date.

“We acknowledge that the work done to date represents but a fraction of the Kamloops Indian Residential School grounds and oral telling indicate that more investigation in other areas is required,” affirmed Rosanne Casimir.

“This is a long process that will take significant time and resources. They were children, robbed of their families and their childhood. We need to now give them the dignity they never had.”