The Member of Parliament-elect for the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo says he’s deeply disappointed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau chose to vacation on National Truth and Reconciliation Day.

In his first move since being elected, Frank Caputo has penned a letter to the Prime Minister, urging him to visit the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in the coming weeks.

When his itinerary said he was in “private meetings” in Ottawa, it was later confirmed that Trudeau was in Tofino on a family vacation. His itinerary was later updated to reflect his location.

Tk’emlúps chief Rosanne Casimir said she the band had twice invited Trudeau to attend their Sept. 30 ceremonies and visit the former residential school, something Trudeau has not done since the discovery back in May of what are believed to be unmarked graves.

Caputo talked to NL News on Thursday about the importance of recognizing the day, while at the Tk’emlúps Powwow Arbour Grounds.

“Whenever I’ve attended [previously], I’ve attended in my own private capacity as somebody who was paying my respects for all of the things that happened here at the memorial. When the 215 children were discovered here, listening to survivors speak their exhortations to action, that really struck a chord with me personally.”

In his letter to Trudeau, Caputo pointed out that Canadians “look to the Prime Minister for leadership in these situations.”

“We cannot change the mistakes made over the past months, which I implore you to acknowledge, but I am calling on you to do the right thing by visiting Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc in the coming weeks,” the letter says.

When asked about Trudeau not being present, prior to the public knowing of his vacation, Casimir said she had held out hope for him to show up.

“But I do know that moving forward it’s really important that he truly upholds… the guiding principles of working with us as First Nations,” she said.