National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
On Saturday, September 30th, Canada will come together to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a moment to acknowledge the troubled history of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous communities and reflect on the positive steps that are being undertaken to improve our relationships.
We would ask that all Sun Peaks community members pause and reflect on the harms caused by our historical policies and the impacts of those policies on our First Nations neighbours. We should also reflect on what each one of us can do to improve our understanding of this history, the past discriminatory laws, the finding of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the principles outlined in the United Nations Declaration of the Right of Indigenous Peoples which British Columbia has adopted.
Sun Peaks’ First Nations history has not always been a positive story. As reconciliation moves forward, we remain optimistic that our relationship will evolve and improve and that our respect and understanding of the Secwepemc history and culture will be enhanced. Many of us have very positive personal memories and relationships with Indigenous community members who work or have worked here in Sun Peaks. We all welcome the First Nations Snowboard Team who frequently visit Sun Peaks. We recently held some positive discussions with Skwlax te Secwepemc (Little Shuswap) leadership and the cultural work scheduled for the Sun Peaks Centre will move forward this Fall.
Our thoughts and best wishes to the Skwlax community where the East Bush Creek fires destroyed some three dozen homes on the Reserve. This disaster, on top of last summer’s loss of all of the rooms in the Quaaout Lodge property, is devastating.
We are slowly making progress on our relationship and I am proud to say one of my highlights of this past year was during our first meeting with the Skwlax Chief and Council and Elders when our school children met and sang the ‘Welcome Song’ of the Secwepemc people.
Al Raine, Mayor