Tk’emlúps pushing for release of residential school student records, federal resources to identify missing children

TK’EMLUPS — Nearly two months since the initial announcement of 215 burial sites detected on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) provided an update on Thursday (July 15).

Note: The following may be triggering to some readers. Click here to access a list of resources available for residential school survivors and intergenerational survivors.

In a public presentation Thursday, Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir says the first round of ground-penetrating radar work has confirmed the existence of burials around the former grounds.

“We have a long path ahead of us, and as you can see, this here is just the next step.”

The presentation laid out how the discovery of a child’s rib bone and a tooth in the late 1990s and early 2000s eventually led to enlisting the help of Dr. Sarah Beaulieu of the University of the Fraser Valley.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Beaulieu explained that the investigation covered just under two acres of a 160-acre site, and forensic excavation work will be needed to conclusively determine the final number of probable burial sites. As of Thursday, there remain 200 targets of interest in these preliminary results.

Children from around B.C and Alberta attended the Kamloops institution, which was one of the largest residential schools in Canada. Some feel the burial sites should be left undisturbed, while others are hoping to see the children repatriated to their home communities.

Casimir says TteS will be consulting with its own membership, and various communities in the coming days to provide further details into the work that’s been done, and answer any questions.

“With the role of the band, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, our role is jurisdictional. We want to make sure that we’re working with our community,” she reiterates. “That residential school is within our direct ancestral lands, but we also know many others have been impacted and we want to be inclusive.”

Federal resources have been requested to support search work on residential school grounds, but Casimir and other Indigenous leaders also want to see a large-scale, independent investigation.

“Potentially could be looking at a crime scene, is basically what’s been stated and shared. It even led to discussions of genocide,” notes Casimir, “and so we know that with that we’re going to be working with various levels of government, we’re going to be working with the UN Repertoire, we’re also going to be working with the honourable (Justice Murray) Sinclair as well through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.”

With long-told stories of missing children backed up by modern radar technology, Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs Vice President Don Tom says Canada should be held accountable.

“We want answers. We want accountability. And the justice process is a bit different than the truth and reconciliation process, so this will have to be with a justice lens,” he explains. “I think it would be worthwhile to have some international observers, as well.”

Moving forward, Kukpi7 Casimir has called on the Oblates of Mary Immaculate to immediately open up their student records to help identify the individuals buried around the school. She’s also called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to grant access to the student records in federal government custody, and to finalize what supports will be provided.

“Hopefully I’m getting confirmation by the end of tomorrow (July 16) in regards to the funding applications that we’ve put forth,” she says, “for the resources that are needed for us to carry on the work and continue doing that.”

To read the full release from TteS, click here.

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There are resources available for those suffering trauma because of the legacy of residential schools.