Tk'emlups chief 'did not realize the impact' unmarked graveyard discovery would have

When it came to announcing recent discovery of an unmarked graveyard on the grounds of the Tk'emlups residential school, Rosanne Casimir said she knew she would be acting as spokesperson for the community — but she didn’t realize the discovery would prompt such a worldwide response.

In a press conference Wednesday, the chief of Tk'emlups te Secwepemc reflected on how it felt to lead the community as national and international attention has been trained on the Kamloops Indian Residential School findings.

“I did not realize the impact that it would have nationally, and worldwide. I had no idea,” Casimir said.

“But knowing the long history of residential school within our First Nations across Canada, there's a lot of shared hurts and traumas and triggers that have been opened. And that is something that I didn't anticipate. But know that it's something that we all have to face, and we all have to acknowledge, moving forward.”

In the wake of the findings, dozens of tributes and ceremonies were organized to honour the children found, and the survivors of the residential school system.

Casimir said so far, the band's follow up work has included supporting memorials, gathering archaeological experts, researching records and putting together budget and time estimates for project work to come.

For other First Nations communities undergoing this type of work, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Casimir said a focus on collaboration is important.

“Make sure that you were working in collaboration with your First Nations local health authority, make sure that you have the internal resources as well, to be able to work with many who want to come visit your community, pay their respects, and to do ceremony as well,” Casimir said.

Dr. Shannon McDonald, First Nations Health Authority’s chief medical officer, said working to uncover the findings is “a hard road to walk.”

“It's a long journey. From the time of making a decision, you want to do this, to the actual scientific exploration. And there are many more stages in that journey to come. Working as a collective, with a single vision, and supporting each other is absolutely essential,” McDonald said.

McDonald said it’s essential to have partners who will work with the First Nations community and support them in the investigation.

She said it’s also important to prepare for the impact of any discoveries on people in the community, and those who live far away.

“Seeing the overwhelming response of individuals from across the country who have come to mourn and grieve, it's obvious that that it opens a really challenging wound for many people,” McDonald said.

“Just making sure that mental health supports, physical supports in terms of clinical care, for people that are traveling and experiencing horrible upset, and fear and anger, and to make sure that people's cultural needs and spiritual needs are being met in the journey as well.”