LETTER – Tk̓emlúps protecting site where ancestral remains found
(Image: Mel Rothenburger, file photo)
Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc is working to protect a site on the North Shore where ancestral remains were located on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc requests that the site be respected, as it is now considered a sacred site. The site is protected under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the BC Heritage Conservation Act. Any alteration or disturbance to the sacred site is illegal and punishable under provincial law.
Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir states, “Cultural heritage is an important value for TteS and we have a responsibility to ensure that our TteS cultural and traditional practices are being respected. Our people have been here since time immemorial and travelled extensively throughout Secwepemcúl̓ecw.”
Kúkpi7 Rosanne would like to acknowledge the support of the RCMP, who continue to be a great partner and friend. RCMP were quick to communicate with Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and work with us to uphold our mutual commitment to respectful cultural heritage management.
The area is currently under 24-hour security, and we request that the public and media avoid the area to allow Tk̓emlúps to complete important work. We would like to thank and encourage the public to always report potential remains and/or artifacts to the nearest RCMP detachment and Tk̓emlúps. For more information, to report artifacts other than remains, or to seek further guidance concerning archaeological sites you can consult the City of Kamloops Archaeological Sites Bulletin or contact the B.C. Archaeology Branch.
Kúkpi7 ROSANNE CASIMIR
~ on behalf of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Council
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Reasonable statement.
We already know that Casimir has said in the past that they are working on the site, and working on a decision regarding investigation on potential remains.
I’m still willing to give much more time than we on this side would normally expect from any of our governments investigations or inquiries. Its inappropriate to assume everyone works on the same timelines.
And that’s all I got on that.
Today she gives thanks to the RCMP, and notifies of actual laws for those who would actually decide that they have a right to deface the site. That said I’m not sure if UNDRIP is actually an ‘enforceable and prosecutable law’ in Canada, but what do I know.
And then she provide a little info as to what to do with any found artifacts.
All good. Bit of a heads up, reminding all that this stuff matters.
The odd part, is that its an entire piece written by Ms. Casimir, but contains an italicized statement by the same Ms. Casimir, Begun with “Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir states” as if its an addition provided by a third party … when she wrote the whole piece. Your literally quoting yourself quoting yourself. Mild cringe.
Maybe next time author the piece by the entire Band Council,
then directly quote an individual.
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There seems to be some confusion regarding sites. This isn’t about the Residential School. She hardly could have said in the past they are working on the site when the site was only discovered the day before.
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