A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
TḰEMLÚPS TE SECWÉPEMC – TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE SECWÉPEMC – On March 23, 2023, Kúkpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir of the Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc, the Honorable 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 center 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 center 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 center.
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.
Richard Jock, CEO, First Nations Health Authority stated, “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.”
Kúkpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir, Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc said, “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 center, 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.”
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