'We will not be intimidated': Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc chief after reported white nationalist gathering

'We will not be intimidated': Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc chief after reported white nationalist gathering

B.C. politicians and leaders condemn reported gathering, calling it 'disgraceful' and 'hateful'

B.C. politicians and leaders are denouncing an apparent gathering of white nationalists on the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc reserve, just east of Kamloops.

Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir says the nation received reports Sunday morning of a gathering of roughly 30 men, donning white face masks and black caps, standing together around the reserve while hoisting flags over their shoulders.

In a press release, Casimir said "individuals associated with Second Sons Canada, a group linked to white supremacist and white nationalist ideology, have been seen and documented within our community."

"White supremacy will not instill fear in generations of survivors and intergenerational survivors who have already carried fear for far too long," said Casimir in the release.

Images circulating on social media appear to show logos on flags and clothing affiliated with Second Sons Canada. However, CBC News has not been able to independently verify the identities of the individuals or their group affiliations.

Casimir told CBC News that the reserve's security told the men they were not permitted to gather and asked them to leave. However, they did not leave until RCMP were called and arrived at the scene.

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CBC News reached out to the RCMP but did not hear back before publication.

Speaking at the Vancouver International Airport Sunday afternoon, NDP Leader David Eby said there has been a rise "in this kind of white nationalist behaviour" in B.C., adding that more needs to be done "to fight it."

"This is just disgraceful, disgusting behaviour. It's very clear that these people were trying to intimidate, make people feel fearful," said the premier, adding that the men in face masks would face severe retribution if their identities were known.

"The white nationalist gathering on Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc land this morning was hateful and meant to intimidate. It has no place in British Columbia," said Lorne Doerkson, interim leader of the B.C. Conservative Party, in a post to social media.

He added that the "B.C. Conservatives condemn it completely."

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CentreBC Leader Elenore Sturko, in a post on social media, called the gathering "abhorrent."

"Hate and discrimination of any kind are unwelcome in British Columbia and on behalf of all members of Centre BC, I condemn this behaviour and stand in solidarity with the Tkʼemlúps First Nation," she said.

Plans for the nation's events for Truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30, Casimir said, will go ahead.

"We will not be intimidated," said Casimir.

"This is not going to deter us from gathering, reflecting, or honouring our survivors and the children who returned home," she said.

But this incident, Casimir said, is an example of a broader problem.

"Everyone should always be concerned because there's so much racism and discrimination out there."

She said Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc will keep its community members informed if there are further safety concerns.

CBC News reached out to Second Sons Canada but did not hear back before publication.

A national 24-hour Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available at 1-866-925-4419 for emotional and crisis referral services for survivors and those affected.

Mental health counselling and crisis support are also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat.

Arden McLeod, from Vancouver, is an associate producer with CBC News. He has a passion for community storytelling, local news, and reflecting the values of B.C. He graduated from the British Columbia Institute of Technology's broadcast and online journalism program. You can reach him at Arden.McLeod@cbc.ca.