From Jeffrey McNeil-Seymour on behalf of the Kamloops Reconciliation Collective:

I write to you today as representing the co-visionaries of our Indigenous/Newcomer collaboration that has planned opportunities (forthcoming circle and teach-in agenda to follow) towards spiritual and social consciousness-raising  towards reconciliation between and amongst Secwepemc, Metis, Urban-Aboriginal peoples, Immigrants and newcomers and Thompson Rivers University ne Secwepemcul’ecw located in Tk’emlupsemc territory.

This forthcoming series of talking circles and teach-in type workshops is set to begin at the Kamloops United Church , Thursday November 2nd at 6-8pm in loving memory of Richard Wagamese and the Reconciliation Circles he facilitated with the Kamloops United Church. We hold our hands up to the United Church and its commitment to reconciliation, social justice and social and spiritual consciousness raising – and for donating the space for this 2nd event the collective has organized for the purposes of continuing to respond to #Canada150 and #Resistance150, and the very real and sometimes uncomfortable work that’s only just begun at TRU and Kamloops at large.

This initiative is a modeling of sorts for the larger community of not only TRU, but for Kamloops in how to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions Calls to Actionhttp:/http://templatelab.com/truth-and-reconciliation-commission-calls-to-action/and to inspire their own calling-in of “Reconciliation-in-Action” collectives (think of the Zapatista movement here – or Google it). Our Indigenous/Newcomer collective identified calls #’s 48, 53, 57, 58, 61, 63, 79 and 93 as our responsibility.

This strategic plan of events will conclude with the arrival of the Theater for the Livings production šxʷʔam̓ət (Home). This production explores reconciliation through indigenous and non-indigenous players and audience participation and has sold out both its first run and encore performances. This production that is now on tour throughout British Columbia and Alberta will be hosted at Thompson Rivers University ne Secwepemcul’ecw  February 25th, 2018, coinciding with Aboriginal Awareness Week on TRU’s campus.

As a Tk’emlups band member representative as part of the Reconciliation Committee and by extension the Faculty, I hold my hands up to Terryl Atkins from the Faculty of Fine Art’s personal donation and The Faculty of Education and Social Work’s through Dean Airini’s financial support of šxʷʔam̓ət (Home)‘s arrival in February. The generous donation paid for securing our spot in their performance itinerary and our Dean’s commitment relieved our December deadline of final payment.

Please save the date and rearrange your schedule for this continuation of the work of our cherished Anishinaabe relation, Richard Wagamese.
 Kuk’stemc
 Kamloops Reconciliation Collective

Ed.Note: KUC folks are invited to attend.