Casimir, Christian emphasize importance of strong partnerships to spur sustainable growth

Photo: Kristen Holliday

Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir speaks in front of a crowd of more than 250 at a Kamloops Chamber of Commerce event on Thursday night.

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Photo: Kristen Holliday Photo: Kristen Holliday Photo: Kristen Holliday

Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir says after a "pivotal" year, Tk’emlups te Sewepemc is looking to the future with optimism as the community works towards continued healing and self-determination.

Casimir joined Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian to provide a State of the City address for about 250 members of Kamloops’ business community on Thursday evening — the first time the event has been held in two years due to the pandemic.

The evening was hosted by the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce at Thompson Rivers University.

Casimir said TteS has a vision to move away from the Indian Act and toward economic self-sufficiency, “continuing to assert our own sovereignty and jurisdiction” as the band's on-reserve population grows.

“We want to build a legacy for our future generations, we want to build capacity, we want to build businesses that can support much needed programs and services, and to be able to provide job opportunities,” Casimir said.

She said there is a “substantial list” of TteS-owned businesses that continues to grow.

“We're very proud of our past and our current leadership, for implementing the vision of our people to break new grounds for First Nations," she said.

Casimir thanked those present for their support for TteS after the community announced the finding of hundreds of remains found in unmarked graves near the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School.

She said in a week, she will fly to Rome to visit Pope Francis, with the theme of their visit being “Indigenous Peoples and the church walking together towards healing and reconciliation.”

Casimir said she is seeking three commitments — a papal visit to unmarked graves in Kamloops, hearing the stories of survivors and intergenerational survivors, a meaningful apology from the pope and a commitment to implement Truth and Reconciliation calls to action.

Casimir said a strong, continued partnership with the City of Kamloops is important for mutual benefit.

“Our relationship with the city has been in place for decades, it is built on respect, and we have remained committed to discussing and resolving matters that need cooperation and of course, mutual benefit,” Casimir said.

We have many agreements together just like it was shared, the sewer, the water, [firefighting], and transit.”

Christian focused on the importance of strong partnerships, asset management and sustainable growth in his address, opening with an example of the city’s sewage treatment centre, which services the City of Kamloops and TteS.

“It's actually the first agreement that we had with Tk’emlups in 1996. And that actually has been a very successful partnership — it’s allowed for the development of Tk’emlups, and certainly the expansion of Kamloops,” Christian said.

“My point is that there is an importance to infrastructure in a city. And yes, it's not pretty. Yes, it's not sexy, but it is not negotiable. They need to be there.”

Christian, who announced last month he will not be seeking a second term as mayor, said it will be important for his successor to focus on a vision for Kamloops that includes asset management, because “you have to look after the business of the city.”

Christian said tackling housing affordability will also be critical, as well as planning for sustainable and conscientious growth.

“We have had some of the highest growth in this region in Canada — I think we’re the fourth highest in the region in Canada — but that has to be sustainable. Growth just for the sake of setting bigger numbers isn't good for your community. It has to be growth that is going to be able to be managed and organized,” he said.

Christian pointed to a significant donation made this year for Kamloops healthcare — $15 million given by the Gaglardi family to fund the Royal Inland Hospital’s patient care tower — and said more investment is urgently needed for healthcare, including mental health.

“We need complex care, we need radiation oncology and we need deep detox and recovery. Because health is not really just about acute care. And I think the evidence in the streets of Kamloops are very clear,” Christian said.

Christian said it will be important to focus on transit recovery and rebuilding Kamloops’ tourism and hospitality sector as the pandemic shifts.

He said he believes vaccines have provided a level of protection for city residents so the future course of the pandemic will be “somewhat subdued.”

“It's not over, and it has taken its toll. And there will be a slower recovery, as I mentioned at the outset, then we had anticipated in many sectors,” he said.

Christian said due to the TteS and City of Kamloops’ adherence to public health orders and recommendations, he believes the community is emerging “in a better space.”

“We have worked side by side with Tk’emlups through this entire piece, and particularly the delivery of vaccines," he said.

"And I think it’s been a good relationship.”