Editor’s note: As a member of Discourse Community Publishing, The Wren uses quotation marks around the word “school” because the Truth and Reconciliation Commission found residential “schools” were “an education system in name only for much of its existence.”
After five years and months of anticipation, the Secwépemc Museum and Heritage Park has officially reopened its doors, unveiling a revitalized space that honours tradition while embracing renewal. Nestled in the heart of the Tk’emlúps reserve, the museum offers a deeply immersive journey into the history, resilience and living culture of the Secwépemc people.
There’s good, grassroots news in town! Your weekly dose of all things Kamloops (Tk’emlúps). Unsubscribe anytime.
Get The Wren’s latest stories
straight to your inbox
For those stepping into the museum for the first time, the experience is both grounding and enlightening. Visitors are welcomed into a thoughtfully redesigned space that blends natural elements, storytelling and interactive exhibits.
The renovation, which includes a new educational theatre and tribute garden, was guided by the vision to deepen cultural understanding and create space for reflection, museum curator Cuyler Page tells The Wren.
One of the museum’s most powerful features is the gallery dedicated to the history of residential “schools.” Through personal stories, archival materials and visual art, the exhibit invites visitors to confront a painful chapter in Canadian history while honouring the strength of survivors.
Tours of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School are also available, according to the museum’s website, where a guide walks participants through the former chapel, dining room, kitchen, boys’ dormitory and gymnasium and shares part of the history of harms perpetrated by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate between the 1800s and 1969.
Other highlights of the museum include displays of traditional Secwépemc tools, clothing and oral histories, alongside contemporary expressions of Indigenous identity, all of which integrate the Secwépemc language throughout the museum.
“People seem to really enjoy the puppets,” Page says, sharing a story of a mother who entertained her four young children with a puppet show using one of the interactive exhibits earlier that morning.
Community response and future plans
Since its soft reopening in May, the museum has received an outpouring of support from the community and beyond. Visitors have praised the space for its educational value and cultural richness.
Most of the feedback Page received has been visual, as he watched visitors come in and be so enthralled with the exhibits.
The museum’s role extends beyond education; it’s a living space for communication, healing and celebration.
“It is a place to celebrate the past and connect the future,” Page says.
Looking ahead, the museum plans to become more involved in the community, hosting workshops, language classes, guest lectures and cultural events that invite deeper engagement.
Whether you’re a resident or a traveller passing through, the Secwépemc Museum and Heritage Park offers a rare opportunity to connect with Indigenous history in a meaningful way.
The museum is open to the public Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m,. and is located at 200-330 Chief Alex Thomas Way.
Editor’s note, Sept. 23, 2025: This story was edited to remove a link to an information pamphlet titled Le Estcwicwéy̓, as a representative with Tkʼemlúps te Secwépemc told The Wren the information was outdated.
So do we. That’s why we spend more time, more money and place more care into reporting each story. Your financial contributions, big and small, make these stories possible. Will you become a monthly supporter today?
If you've read this far, you value in-depth community news
