The Land
Secwepemcúl'ecw
For the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc, the land itself holds profound spiritual significance and has served as their place of worship for millenia. Their ancestral ties to the land in and around Kamloops run deep, shaping their religious beliefs and practices. Within this land - a small part of their full territory known as Secwepemcúl'ecw - the Secwépemc people engage in ceremonies, rituals, and expressions of gratitude, honouring their Creator and maintaining a profound connection to their spiritual heritage. For time immemorial, the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc have diligently cared for this land, considering it a precious gift from their Creator.
Today, as we of other faiths gather to worship on the land cared for by the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc for countless generations, we recognize and acknowledge the privilege we have been afforded. The Secwépemc people's enduring custodianship of this land has allowed us to find solace and connection with the divine in this remarkable setting. We are grateful for the opportunity to honour our respective faith traditions and experience spiritual fulfilment on this sacred land, understanding that our ability to do so is a result of the ongoing care and guardianship of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc.
Living and worshipping on this land serves as a reminder of the deep interconnectedness between spirituality, community, and the natural world. We are inspired by the Secwépemc people's deep reverence for the land and their commitment to its preservation. In recognizing the privilege bestowed upon us, we strive to learn from the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc's stewardship and foster a deeper understanding of our collective responsibility to care for and protect the land for future generations. May we continue to approach our worship with humility, gratitude, and a sincere commitment to honour the ancestral legacy of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc and the profound spirituality this land holds.
Timeline:
~8000 Years Ago: First Nations people arrived in and around the area we now call Kamloops.
Congregation Website:
Sources:
Further reading:
Secwépemc People, Land, and Laws: Yerí7 re Stsq'ey's-kucw. Marianne Ignace and Ronald Ignace. 2017.
Reach out to suggest other valuable sources of information about the connection between this land and the Tk'emlúps te Secwepemc people.