Gazan Condemns Hate and Violence at Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, Calls for Action on Residential School Denialism

NDP MP Critic for Indigenous Affairs Leah Gazan Issued the Following 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."