More details have been announced by Tk’emlúps Kupki7 Rosanne Casimir on the 215 memorial set for Monday, May 23.

Its set to take place at the Tk’emlúps Powwow arbour, marking one year since the discovery of the 215 unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

In May 2021, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc announced the findings of what are believed to be the remains of 215 children in unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

Ku̓kpi7 Rosanne Casimir says the 14 hour memorial on May 23 will include a cultural Secwépemc ceremony.

The 215 memorial will kick off at 5 am with a sunrise service.

“There’s going to be Secwépemc cultural performances, there’s going to be pipe carriers that are going to be at part of the sunrise ceremony, there’s going to be hand drumming throughout the day and there will be jingle dress dancing as well,” said Casimir.

Cultural and mental health supports will also be available throughout the event, which is expected to run until 7 p.m.

“When I had to share with the world the findings of the unmarked graves, it was something that was devastating for me as a mother and a grandmother and a leader that had to share that and where we are at today and the many steps that we have to take towards healing,” she added.

Casimir hopes the missing memorial helps further heal those impacted from the findings of the 215 unmarked graves last year.

“This is our cultural tradition and protocol to after the year of sharing and the loss going through the emotions of the grief and loss, now we are going to be honouring the ancestral children’s, the missing 215.”

Casimir says the memorial is open to anyone wanting to attend and participate.

“The fact that the residential school impacted so many non Indigenous people as well, it was the children that brought us together and that we mourn together and grieve together.”

Everyone is reminded there will be parking restrictions and heavier traffic, attendees are urged to take extra time in arriving.