Ottawa Provides Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc With $12.5 Million to Construct a Healing Centre

Ottawa is providing the Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc with a fresh $12.5 million to go towards the construction of a healing centre on their territory.

It has been nearly two years since the discovery of 215 unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Residential School kicked off a national outcry.

That discovery lead to countless investigations being launched at former residential school sites across the country.

By providing the funding, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is fulfilling a promise made to the community during a visit in October of 2021.

An architect has already been selected by the Band to lead the development of a welcoming design for the new healing centre.

It will provide a safe space for members to access trauma-informed programs which support their spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical healing.

Another $1.5 million will go towards a feasibility study to determine what work is needed to renovate the former residential school building.

Community members voted to keep the building as a reminder of the on-going legacy of residential schools to ensure the history is never forgotten.

Warning: this story contains distressing and traumatic details regarding residential schools. Anyone experiencing trauma or impacted by the tragedy can reach out to the 24 hour Residential School Crisis Line at 1 800 721 0066.