Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc, First Nations governance center in Kamloops, Canada.
Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc is a First Nations band headquartered in Kamloops, British Columbia, governing several reserves located at the meeting of the South Thompson and North Thompson rivers. The band operates schools, health services, and community facilities across their territory.
The Secwépemc people inhabited this region for thousands of years before colonial policies in the 1860s led to the creation of reserves on their land. These colonial changes fundamentally restructured how the band governed its territories.
The name Tk'emlúps means "river junction" in the Secwépemc language, reflecting the geographical importance of their settlement at the confluence of two rivers. The community actively maintains their language and customs through educational programs and ceremonies that remain visible in daily life.
The band's territory consists of several separate reserves scattered across the region, so it helps to plan ahead about which locations you want to visit. Maps and local guidance can help orient you as you explore different parts of their land.
In 2021, ground-penetrating radar revealed evidence of unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School within their territory, bringing international attention to this dark chapter of colonial history. The discovery sparked broader conversations about recognizing and honoring those lost.
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