Kamloops RCMP are investigating vandalism at the St. Joseph’s Church on Tk’emlúps land.

The historic church site, at 200 Chilcotin Road, was spray-painted with the words “evicted,” “crime scene” and “banished,” with an “X” also painted on the front doors. As of Tuesday morning, the graffiti had been partially removed.

Const. Crystal Evelyn says a report of mischief on that property came in at about 11:40 a.m. yesterday.

A security guard is now set up outside of the church 24-7 for now. Before the vandalism, a guard would be present overnight and would do four patrols during daytime hours. The vandalism happened when no security was on sight.

As part of a lengthy news release issued late Tuesday afternoon, Tk‘emlúps te Secwepemc chief Rosanne Casimir says the band is “deeply disturbed” by the vandalism at the church.

“The church was built from the ground up by Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc members,” Casimir says.

“We understand the many emotions connected to a Roman Catholic-run residential school. At the same time, we respect the choices that Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc ancestors made, over a 100 years ago, to erect this church.”

Much of the news release pertained to the 215 unmarked graves of children found on the property of the Kamloops Indian Residential School.

Casimir says all federal parties “must face ownership and accountability to Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc as well as all communities and families,” when it comes to government’s role in enabling residential schools in Canada.

At those schools, which operated for more than 120 years, Indigenous children were abused sexually and physically, neglected and malnourished while living in crowded spaces that lacked basic healthcare.