The chief of a First Nation in British Columbia’s Interior is urging members to remain vigilant following a reported gathering of individuals associated with white supremacist and white nationalist ideology on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc land over the weekend.
Kúkwpi7 Rosanne Casimir, speaking on behalf of Chief and Council, issued a statement on Monday alerting the community about the presence of individuals linked to the group Second Sons Canada, which has ties to such extremist beliefs. The images circulating online showed a group wearing masks, sunglasses, and dark attire on the First Nation’s land.
Expressing deep concern, the First Nation emphasized that the situation is being taken seriously and acknowledged the potential fear and distress it may cause among members, Survivors, families, and staff.
Political leaders in British Columbia have strongly condemned the gathering on the Indigenous land. Premier David Eby denounced the actions of the white nationalists, calling their behavior “disgusting, dangerous, and cowardly,” while emphasizing the need to combat rising white supremacist activities.
In response to the incident, various political parties have also voiced their support for Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc and their commitment to combating extremist behavior. OneBC stated its dedication to addressing ideological extremism in the province, while the B.C. Conservatives demanded a thorough investigation by the RCMP into the incident.
The First Nation is actively cooperating with law enforcement to address the issue and ensure the safety of its community members in light of this alarming event.
