The Catholic Church in BC is promising to provide both financial and scientific support to Tk’emlups as part of a recently-revealed “Sacred Covenant” the two sides have signed.

“The Church was wrong, wrong, in how it complied in implementing a government, colonial policy which resulted in the separation of children from their parents and their families,” said Archbishop Michael Miller as part of a joint, online news conference he participated in on Wednesday, alongside Tk’emlups Kukpi7 Roseanne Casimir.

Signed at the end of March, details of the 31 point agreement — released this week — include a pledge to work together to identify and help repatriate any remains discovered on the site of the former Kamloops Residential School, should that ever take place.

“There is a $30 million pledge, including $2.5 million from the Archdiocese of Vancouver, to help provide grants that further healing and reconciliation,” said Miller.

For her part, Casimir says parts of the Covenant also acknowledges the Catholic Church’s role in the Residential School system.

“While some former students have spoken positively about their experience at Kamloops Indian Residential School, these stories are overshadowed by tragic accounts of emotional, physical and sexual abuse and neglect of helpless children,” said Casimir.

Both sides say they feel the Covenant provides an opportunity for the two sides to work together to resolve their historical issues.