RCMP Superintendent Jeff Pelley on Monday said in a statement that on Sunday September 27, at approximately 7:25 a.m., frontline officers from the Tk’emlúps RCMP Detachment received a report of a large group of individuals dressed in black clothing and wearing white masks near Chief Eli Larue Way.
He said: “Our officers responded and engaged immediately with the group who subsequently departed the location and continued throughout various parts of the city.
“The posting of a banner bearing the words “got bones,” combined with the use of masks to conceal their identities while making such public statements is a cowardly attempt to avoid accountability for actions and messages that are clearly intended to intimidate, provoke fear and division.”
Pelley said the RCMP are taking this matter seriously and will continue to engage the group as part of their response and current ongoing investigation.
“The RCMP’s position on this type of messaging is clear, and such and we will continue to ensure that all offences are thoroughly investigated to support potential prosecution,” he added.
Anyone with information, photos or video footage of this incident, or knowledge of future gatherings is encouraged to contact the Tk’emlúps Rural RCMP Detachment at 250-314-1800 or the Kamloops RCMP Detachment at 250-828-3000 and cite file 2026-32566. You can remain anonymous by calling, Crime Stoppers at 1800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Political leaders have condemned the incident.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said: “The cowardly act that took place at Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc yesterday, is abhorrent. It has no place in this country. My thoughts are with everyone who are shaken and hurt by this disgusting display of hate. This week, we will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a stark reminder of our shared responsibility to confront the devastating legacy of the residential school system and the consequences still felt today. Courageous Survivors shared the truth, so that all Canadians could take up the work of reconciliation.”
Premier David Eby said: “What happened in Tkʼemlúps today [Sunday] was disgraceful, and it happened just days before the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This is not who we are as British Columbians. We stand with Tkʼemlúps te Secwépemc.”
BC Conservative Interim Leader Lorne Doerkson said: “The white nationalist gathering on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc land this [Sunday] morning was hateful and meant to intimidate. It has no place in British Columbia, and BC Conservatives condemn it completely. We stand with the people of Tk’emlúps, and we expect the RCMP to investigate fully.”
CentreBC Leader Elenore Sturko said: “The gathering of a white nationalist group today on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc land is 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.”
NDP MP Critic for Indigenous Affairs Leah Gazan said in a statement: “The act of hate and violence shown by white nationalist residential school denialists demonstrating on the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation is abhorrent, dangerous and unacceptable.
“This demonstration is a part of the escalating and harrowing attacks from residential school denialists, seeking attention and monetization from the promotion of hate. I join the Assembly of First Nations’ calls for a full investigation, and for governments to take urgent action to respond to residential school denialism with the urgency and seriousness needed to protect the safety and dignity of survivors.
“The House of Commons unanimously recognized the Indian Residential School System as a genocide in 2022. Governments and leaders must respond to these attacks as what they are – the violent denial of genocide that poses a grave threat to the safety of survivors, families, communities and our nations.
“Survivors have asked governments to protect their safety and their stories from residential school denialists, which is why I put forward Bill C-254 to add residential school denialism to the Criminal Code as an incitement of hate. This issue is non-partisan. That is why I have offered the Liberals my bill to take on as a government bill and criminalize residential school denialism once and for all. It is incumbent on the Liberal government to ensure the safety of survivors.
“Survivors deserve more than our words of condemnation. We owe them real action and real protection.
“To Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation, my heart goes out to you after this terrifying attack. I am holding all survivors of residential schools, their families and communities in my heart. I stand by you and uplift you.”
