Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc has signed a “Sacred Covenant” with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver and the Diocese of Kamloops.

Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir says the signing – which took place on Easter Sunday near the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School – is a significant step forward on the path of healing and reconciliation.

“You may be wondering what is a Sacred Covenant? It is a Roman Catholic version of a memorandum of understanding,” Casimir said.

“Why is it needed? Within the Sacred Covenant, the Catholic parties are committing to work with Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc to assist in answering questions related to the work during the course of our investigation.”

Casimir says the covenant – which has been in the works for a number of months – includes commitments for all parties to work together on things like memorializing children who were sent to residential schools as well as the sharing of historical records in the church’s possession to identify what happened to children who went missing.

“Our survivors journey is an individual journey, and this is one of the many steps forward. The signing of the covenant is a beautiful step forward,” Casimir said in a video shared by Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Monday.

“The Archdiocese of Vancouver and the Diocese of Kamloops have made it clear that they are embarking on this new journey of truth, justice, and healing with us.”

Tk’emlúps also says the convent “clarifies the ‘Doctrine of Discovery’ by affirming the dignity and rights of First Nations peoples, repudiating past injustices.”

“The Covenant outlines practical commitments, including honouring and memorializing residential school students, facilitating access to historical records, and retaining scientific expertise to support the Nation’s efforts in uncovering the truth and promoting healing,” it said in a statement Monday.

Sunday’s signing comes nearly three years to the day when Tk’emlúps announced that ground-penetrating radar detected what it believes to be 215 unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Residential School.

“It has been a long road to arrive here today with the seed of the idea that was planted back in July of 2021,” Casimir added. “A special thank you to former Chief Manny Jules and to [Assembly of First Nations Chief] Phil Fontaine for drafting the Sacred Covenant and for the many many hands that continued to shape it.”

“This Easter Sunday was a testament of allyship. It was clear that there were many hands that shaped the positives outcomes of today.”

In a statement, Vancouver’s Archbishop J. Michael Miller – who apologized for the Catholic Church’s role in the residential school system in June of 2021 – said the Archdiocese is “grateful” to be able to work with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc to advance reconciliation.

“The Residential School system did great damage to Indigenous people, as well as their language, customs, and traditions,” Miller said. “We recognize our part in the resulting tragedies and the desire to journey with the people of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc on a path to healing and understanding.”

In a speech during Sunday’s signing ceremony, Miller also presented a message from Pope Francis, who said exactly two years ago that he was “ashamed and indignant at the ‘deplorable’ abuses suffered by Canada’s Indigenous Peoples at residential schools that were run by the Catholic Church.”

“In light of the sufferings of the past, His Holiness hopes that this generous gesture will be a further step on the path towards truth and reconciliation,” the statement from the Pope said.

“Indeed, today’s gathering responds to the call of Pope Francis during his apostolic journey, when he spoke of the need for the church and the Indigenous Peoples of Canada ‘to walk together, pray together, and work together.'”