B.C. leaders condemn white nationalist gathering on Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc land
The First Nation's chief says about 30 masked men were seen on the reserve, with flags linked to a group called Second Sons Canada.
KAMLOOPS — B.C. political leaders are denouncing an apparent gathering of white nationalists on the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc reserve near Kamloops.
Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir said the nation received reports Sunday morning of a gathering of roughly 30 men, donning white face masks and black caps, standing together around the reserve while hoisting flags over their shoulders.
"Individuals associated with Second Sons Canada, a group linked to white supremacist and white nationalist ideology, have been seen and documented within our community," Casimir said in a press release.
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She told CBC News that the reserve's security told the men they were not permitted to gather and asked them to leave, but they did not leave until RCMP were called and arrived at the scene.
Casimir said it was a "complete surprise" when the individuals showed up, and that with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation approaching on Sept. 30, it may have prompted this group's appearance.
"It is actually very disturbing," she told Global News. "Basically, potentially, this is like hate crime, this is disturbing especially coming just before the National Day (for) Truth and Reconciliation."
Images circulating on social media appear to show logos on flags and clothing affiliated with Second Sons Canada, but CBC News and Global News have not been able to independently verify the identities of the individuals or their group affiliations.
Speaking at the Vancouver International Airport Sunday afternoon, NDP Leader David Eby said there has been a rise "in this kind of white nationalist behaviour" in B.C.
"This is just disgraceful, disgusting behaviour. It's very clear that these people were trying to intimidate, make people feel fearful," said the premier, adding that the men in face masks would face severe retribution if their identities were known.
Eby also condemned the protest in a post on X, saying the province stands with Tkʼemlúps te Secwépemc.
"White nationalists gathering on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc land to intimidate people is disgusting, dangerous and cowardly, as they hide their faces," Eby said.
Interim B.C. Conservative Party Leader Lorne Doerkson also condemned the protest on social media.
"The white nationalist gathering on Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc land this morning was hateful and meant to intimidate. It has no place in British Columbia," said Doerkson, adding that the "B.C. Conservatives condemn it completely."
CentreBC Leader Elenore Sturko, in a post on social media, called the gathering "abhorrent."
"Hate and discrimination of any kind are unwelcome in British Columbia and on behalf of all members of Centre BC, I condemn this behaviour and stand in solidarity with the Tkʼemlúps First Nation," she said.
Casimir said plans for the nation's events for Truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30 will go ahead.
"This is not going to deter us from gathering, reflecting, or honouring our survivors and the children who returned home," she said.
But this incident, Casimir said, is an example of a broader problem.
"Everyone should always be concerned because there's so much racism and discrimination out there," she said.
She said Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc will keep its community members informed if there are further safety concerns.
CBC News and Global News reached out to the RCMP and to Second Sons Canada but did not hear back before publication.
With files from CBC News and Global News