British Columbia·Video

Tk'emlúps Nation extends invitation to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Nation has shared a video to help people learn the Secwepemc Honour Song to drum and sing at 2:15 p.m. Pacific time on Sept. 30.

Nation has shared video teaching people how to sing and drum its honour song

Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir says news of unmarked graves of children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School sparked a global outpouring of support. Now, the nation is offering a way for people across the country to connect by sharing a video so people can sing and drum along with them on Sept. 30. (Simpcw First Nation)

A First Nation that announced more than 200 unmarked graves had been found at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., is inviting people to mark Canada's first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc Nation has shared a video to help people learn the Secwépemc Honour Song to drum and sing at 2:15 p.m. Pacific time on Sept. 30.

According to the nation, preliminary findings on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School indicated 215 children had been found buried on the site.

Chief Rosanne Casimir says news of the unmarked graves sparked a global outpouring of support and the invitation offers a way for people to connect.

WATCH | Learn the Secwépemc Honour Song:


The nation is encouraging participants to teach the honour song in schools, workplaces and at home.

Since May, several other First Nations have reported finding unmarked graves or suspected remains located around former residential institutions in their territories.

Casimir says the nation has been working to decide what happens next at the Kamloops site and it is set to share updates at an event scheduled to take place next month.

With files from Bridgette Watson