September 30
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Orange Shirt Day
Drum and Sing for Missing Children of Indian Residential Schools
Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops Indian Band) is calling on people worldwide to drum simultaneously for the missing children of Indian Residential Schools for the first Canadian National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, this September 30 at 2:15 pm Pacific Time.
Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc explains the time of the event saying, “215 was the number that made a ripple around the world at the end of May of this year (2021) about the truth of missing children in unmarked graves at the sites of former Indian Residential Schools. It was chosen as a way to honour those who are currently in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc caretakership. Since the news about the 215 at Tk’emlúps, more children have been confirmed at other Indian Residential Schools sites in Canada and the USA. At Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, we know that our work has only just begun.”
After a global outpouring of interest and support for the missing children from the Kamloops Indian Residential School, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc is offering a way for people to connect, support and ground into the importance of this very first Canadian National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc is calling upon people around the world to gather — safely — to drum and sing with them for the missing children of Indian Residential Schools.
“It’s time to honour the children, and the unrelenting spirit of these Ancestors. It’s time to drum for the healing of the Indian Residential Schools Survivors who carried the burden of knowing where the children were buried, and to drum for the healing of the families and communities whose children did not come home,” stated Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir.
Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc is urging everyone to learn the Secwepemc Honour Song (posted below) so that all who join in may do so in unity with drumbeat and voice.
“We invite you to share this song, to teach it and record it in schools, workplaces, and living rooms. Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc is calling upon the world to help us shine a light on truth, the pursuit of justice and peace, as well as healing for all affected by these beloved missing children. The confirmation of the missing children has impacted people locally, regionally, nationally and even globally. Secwepemc Elders have said that it is the children that are going to bring us together. We want to make the world a better place for children everywhere and give them hope and assurances, that every child matters,” declared Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir.
Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc is asking people to share their participation in this event on social media with the hashtag #DrumForTheChildren and tag Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc through its social media accounts:
Twitter: @Tkemlups
Facebook: @TkemlupsteSecwepemc
Instagram: @Tkemlups_te_Secwepemc
(tkemlups.ca)
