Tk’emlúps leaders' open letter set steps for PM to prove commitment to reconciliation

Thirteen heads of families within the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation have published an open letter in the Globe and Mail newspaper, effectively telling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to put his money, and his actions, where his mouth is.

The letter, signed by senior leaders including former Tk'emlups chief Manny Jules, says members ``want to believe'' Trudeau is sincere in his statements about the importance of reconciliation, but it describes the legacy of mistrust as ``vast.''

It lays out seven ways Trudeau can prove he is ready to act by repatriating any human remains found at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, to restoring Tk'emlups control over taxation, rights and resources across their territories, and ensuring those powers are recognized by the courts.

Trudeau visited the Kamloops-area First Nation yesterday, a visit the house heads say they believe he would never have made if the suspected remains of at least 200 children had not been found on the former school ground.