Fifth Anniversary of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Announcement: UBCIC Honours Residential School Survivors and Condemns Denialism
Press Release
May 25, 2026
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – May 25, 2026) Five years ago, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation shared preliminary findings of an investigation into the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School that indicated the presence of over 200 potential burials. UBCIC stands in solemn solidarity with all survivors and intergenerational survivors, with all First Nations who are being actively harmed by Residential School denialism, and in defense of the truth.
“Today marks a period of profound reflection, reawakened grieving and the pursuit of justice and reconciliation,” stated Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President. “In the five years since the announcement of potential burials at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, the public conscience of Canada has fractured and First Nations across the country have carried out the heavy and unyielding work of truth-telling. UBCIC commends the rigorous First Nations-led investigations into former Residential School sites and the unwavering efforts to identify children taken by the Residential School System and to ensure they remain the focus of our collective memory.”
“Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc took the courageous step of being the first to publicly share the commonly held truth amongst First Nations, that the Residential School System was responsible for the deaths of Indigenous children. Over the past five years, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc and other First Nations have been targeted by hateful and racist denialist rhetoric. UBCIC commends Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc for their committed physical and archival investigative process and categorically rejects Residential School denialism promoted by a vocal few. Attempts to minimize, cast doubt upon or erase the well-documented atrocities of Residential Schools is little more than racism, white supremacy and colonial violence,” stated Chief Councillor Linda Innes, UBCIC Vice-President.
Chief Marilyn Slett, UBCIC Secretary-Treasurer concluded, “UBCIC acknowledges the ongoing pain experienced by survivors and their families who still live without answers, who carry heart wrenching memories and who have their lived experience undermined by hateful rhetoric. We stand with you on your healing journey and acknowledge your enduring courage and will to survive for the betterment of our future generations. UBCIC calls on the public to respect the lived experience of survivors, to respect the stringent and painstaking investigations into former Residential School sites and to listen to oral history and recognize that the legacy of the Residential School System continues to have real and devastating impacts.”
Credible resources to learn more about Residential Schools:
- Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc: Update on ongoing investigation at former Kamloops Indian Residential School
- The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports and 94 Calls to Action
- UBC Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre
- Office of the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools Final Report
- Oscar-Nominated documentary Sugarcane
Mental health and cultural support resources can be found below:
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line and On-line
Counselling Service offers mental health counselling and crisis intervention to Indigenous people across Canada.
Toll-Free: 1-855-242-3310
Indian Residential School Survivors Society
Toll-free: 1-800-721-0066
KUU-US Crisis Line
Toll-Free: 1-800-588-8717
(First Nations and Indigenous specific)
310– Mental Health: 310-6789 (no area code)
Suicide Crisis Line: 1-800-784-2433
Media inquiries:
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, 250-490-5314
Chief Councillor Linda Innes, Vice-President, 778-884-5663
Chief Marilyn Slett, Secretary-Treasurer, 250-957-7721
UBCIC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
For more information, please visit www.ubcic.bc.ca
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