In response to a recent gathering of white nationalists at the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc reserve near Kamloops, B.C., the First Nation has introduced a new measure to prevent similar incidents in the future. Acting Kúkpi7 (Chief) Nikki Fraser announced that the Tk’emlúps council unanimously approved a resolution endorsing a “zero tolerance for hate-based conduct” policy.
Fraser emphasized that this formal policy reinforces the nation’s authority and provides additional tools for the RCMP to address individuals involved in hate-based activities within their community. The incident involved a group of 20 to 30 men wearing white face masks and black caps, carrying flags, who descended on the reserve.
The Tk’emlúps nation, in collaboration with the Canadian Anti-Hate Network (CAHN), identified the men as members of Second Sons Canada, an organization associated with white supremacist and white nationalist ideologies. Security personnel from the nation requested the men to leave, but they only complied when the RCMP intervened.
Fraser clarified that while the event may have appeared as a peaceful protest initially, it contradicted the values of the Secwépemc people and involved hate-based behavior. She underscored that the resolution supports the removal of any acts or demonstrations related to hate-based conduct.
Following their departure from the reserve, the group relocated to other areas in the city, including an overpass where they displayed a banner with the message “got bones.” Supt. Jeff Pelley of the Kamloops RCMP criticized the masked demonstration as a cowardly effort to evade accountability for actions aimed at instilling fear and division.
The incident has elicited widespread condemnation from various political factions.