OKIB stands with Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and calls for action against hate

Okanagan Indian Band Chief and Council stand firmly with Kúkwpi7 Rosanne Casimir and the people of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc following the disturbing activity on their lands this past weekend.

The targeting of Indigenous people and Survivors through hate, intimidation and denialism demands a strong response. That is why OKIB echoes the call from Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc for the Governments of Canada and British Columbia to take meaningful action against racism, white supremacist activity, hate-motivated conduct and deliberate efforts to deny or distort the truth of the Indian Residential School system.

What happened cannot be treated simply as an incident affecting one First Nation. Organized efforts to intimidate Indigenous people and undermine the experiences of Survivors demand a serious response from governments, law enforcement and Canadians.

Governments cannot ask Survivors to tell their stories and Canadians to listen to those truths, then leave Survivors and First Nations to confront organized efforts to intimidate them, discredit them or erase those experiences on their own.

Condemnation after an incident is not enough. Reconciliation carries a responsibility to protect the people whose experiences this country has committed itself to hearing and acknowledging.

Existing laws and enforcement tools must be examined to determine whether they provide that protection. Where the law applies, it must be enforced. Where the law falls short, governments must act to strengthen it.

OKIB will also act within our own community. Hate and intimidation directed toward our Members will not be tolerated on Okanagan Indian Band lands. Chief and Council have directed Administration to review the tools available to OKIB, including our Unwanted Persons Bylaw and other community safety measures, should individuals or organizations associated with this type of activity attempt to enter our lands, organize here or target our people.

As September 30 approaches, our attention remains where it belongs: with Survivors, their families and the children who never returned home. The burden of confronting hate cannot continue to fall on the people being targeted by it.

We know the history of the Indian Residential School system because our families lived it. Their truth does not require validation from those seeking to deny or distort that history, and we will not give residential school denialism legitimacy by debating the lived experiences of our people.

We have always been here – niʕáyp kʷús alaʔx

way̓ limləmt,

Chief Dan Wilson
On behalf of Okanagan Indian Band Chief and Council

For Support:

If you or someone you know is impacted by the ongoing effects of residential schools, intergenerational trauma, or residential school denialism, please reach out to the following resources:

• OKIB Mental Wellness Intake and Referral Line (Phone: 250-241-4741 Email: mhwhotline@okanagan.org)
• Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419 (24/7)
• Indian Residential School Survivors’ Society, 24-hour Crisis Line: 1-800-721-0066
• CMHA Vernon Crisis Line:1-888-353-2273
• KUU-US Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717
• National Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310 or visit www.hopeforwellness.ca for online chat.
• First Nations Health Benefits provides access to mental wellness and counselling services: 1-855-550-5454.
• BC Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789 (no area code required)

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