The City of Kamloops is encouraging all staff and residents to recognize the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this Thursday.
Mayor Ken Christian says most non-essential City services will be suspended on Sept. 30 so that people can acknowledge the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools.
“First of all, we can wear an orange shirt on Sept. 30,” Mayor Ken Christian said, in a video update. “I would encourage you along with your children to watch some of the online video presentation respecting residential school survivors. Also, take a look at Phyllis Webstad’s Orange Shirt presentation.”
Christian says the City is proud to have Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc as neighbours, noting the two governments work closely together on a number of issues. All week long, the Tk’emlúps flag will fly on the City’s community flagpole while new TteS banners will also be installed on street poles throughout the city next month.
The City has also posted a formal land acknowledgement on its website along with several pages of content related to reconciliation and the relationship the City has with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc.
“We are proud as a city to support National Truth and Reconciliation Day,” Christian added, noting the City continues to work with TteS and other community partners to advance reconciliation locally in Kamloops.
“The finding of the missing unmarked graves at residential schools, first in Kamloops and now across the country, has raised awareness about the truth of residential schools. It is more important than ever to ensure that education and awareness continues and that we honour residential school survivors and the children who did not go home.”
The City of Kamloops says there will be garbage picked up this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation but not in future years as they note changing the collection schedule mid-year is challenging.
After this year, the garbage pick up schedule on Sept. 30 will be adjusted as is done with other stat holidays.
Meanwhile, property owners are being told that the due date for utility bills has been moved up by to Sept. 29, with people being encouraged to pay their utility bills on time to avoid a penalty.
Kamloops staff also say City facilities will be closed on Thursday as they are on other statutory holidays
At 2:15 p.m. on Sept. 30, Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc will be organizing a worldwide drum circle after putting the call out earlier this month. People are being urged to learn the Secwepemc Honour Song as well so they can join in from home.
As it stands, the B.C. government has not designated Sept. 30 as a provincial statutory holiday.
Asked about that decision during a press conference on Monday, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Minister, Murray Rankin, said consultation with the broader private sector is ongoing.
“There will be no doubt, announcements made over the next while as to how that unfolds in this province, just as is occurring across this country,” he said.
Support services for residential school survivors in British Columbia:
* The KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides a 24-hour, provincewide Indigenous crisis line for Indigenous peoples in B.C. Adults, call 250 723-4050. Children and youth, call 250 723-2040. Toll-free: 1 800 588-8717
* First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line for Indigenous people across Canada toll-free 1 855 242-3310 or chat online: https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/
* The Métis Crisis Line for Métis people in B.C., available 24 hours a day at 1 833 MétisBC: 1 833 638-4722
* Tsow Tun Le Lum for Indigenous peoples in B.C., phone: 1 888 403-3123
* Indian Residential School Survivors Society, phone: 1 800 721-0066 or 604 985-4464
* 24-Hour National Crisis Line for residential school survivors and others affected: 1 866 925-4419