tkwəɬniwt (Westbank), Syilx Territory: The Syilx Okanagan Nation’s ‘For the Children’ Caravan will start at 9:00 am on June 26, 2021, and will a convoy of Syilx leaders, Indian Residential School survivors, their families (intergenerational), elders, members, and youth from across the Nation journey from sn’pinktn (Penticton) to the Kamloops Indian Residential School. This caravan is a direct response to the lack of justice in the face of recent discovery of the burial sites of 215 children at Kamloops Indian Residential School (KIRS) and 715 children at the Marieval Indian Residential School reported by the Cowessess First Nation, alongside many others nationwide. It gathers our people together in unity and support the survivors and each other through the emotional impacts of the recent findings. It also brings awareness to all those just now finding their relatives, alongside showing our support for and alliance with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. A ceremony at the Kamloops Indian Residential School will take place after the caravan.
We all have a role to play. Non-Syilx allies interested in contributing can:
EDUCATE
Educating yourself on the history and ongoing impacts of the Indian Residential School system is foundational to becoming an ally. For a wealth of resources regarding the Syilx Indian Residential School experience visit: www.syilx.org/wellness/indian-residential-school/. The ONA’s “Take the Indian Out the Child” book can also be purchased at: https://syilx.org/shop/
ADVOCATE
We are calling on all Canadian citizens to contact your local, provincial, and federal elected officials to demand that they act on the Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report Calls to Action. To learn more about the TRC and it’s findings visit: http://www.trc.ca/
PARTICIPATE
Non-Syilx allies looking to support the Caravan on June 26th are asked to line Highway 97 close to your nearest caravan location and times (provided below) to cheer on the participants. You can also donate to the Syilx Indian Residential School Committee by e-transfering donations to etransfertd@syilx.org, using the password “nation”. Please indicate in the comment box that it is for the SIRSC.
For more information or media interested in covering the Caravan please contact:
Chief Clarence Louie, ONA Tribal Chair
T: 250-498-9132
Jennifer Lewis, ONA Wellness Manager
T: 250-826-7844
E: wellness.manager@syilx.org
Tara Montgomery, ONA Communications Lead
T: 1-250-707-0095 ext. 120
Syilx Okanagan members interested in joining the Caravan should contact:
Raven Mikuletic, ONA Event Planner
T: 1-250-707-0095 ext. 12
CARAVAN TIMES & START LOCATIONS
The time listed below is the time that vehicles should be departing. Please arrive 20-30 mins prior to that time.
South Okanagan Events Centre | 9:00 AM
853 Eckhardt Ave W, Penticton, BC
Westbank First Nation Office | 9:50 AM
515 Hwy 97 South Kelowna BC
Vernon Okanagan College Campus | 10:50 AM
7000 College Way, Coldstream, BC
Douglas Lake Road | 11:40 AM
Douglas Lake Road, Westwold, BC
Kamloops Petro-Pass | 12:10 PM
175 Kokanee Way, Kamloops, BC
Kamloops Indian Residential School | 12:30 PM
330 Chief Alex Thomas Way, Kamloops BC
Ceremony at Kamloops Indian Residential School | 1:00 PM