Keremeos marked the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with the dedication of nix史ina蕯 Park in the heart of the community.
The park, formerly known to locals as the Pocket Park now bears the traditional place name for land on which the Village of Keremeos is currently located, specifically the lower section of land adjacent to the Similkameen River.
Around a hundred people, including local elected officials, Lower Similkameen Indian Band (LSIB) Chief, members, Elders and council, packed into the park for the official ribbon cutting.
"My understanding is when the railroad came in, they moved the town site from the upper area to downtown and kept the name," said Mayor Jason Wiebe. "There's nowhere in town limits, as far as I know, that has official documentation that recognizes the traditional name for the land we're on.
"So, where better than right on the main street to bring awareness that the land we're on does have a name and it has since time immemorial."
The plan to rename the park and properly dedicate it has been in the works since early 2024 and was spurred through conversations with local Indigenous Elders.
In addition to dedicating nix史ina蕯 Park's official name, the village worked with local Indigenous artists and asked them to provide pieces that they felt would best support the goals of Truth and Reconciliation.
Seeing the park's dedication, and the restoration of the traditional name for the land is one more step forward.
"None of us are going anywhere anymore, it's how we live together and work together and that's what today means to me," said Chief Keith Crow. "It's building our relationships. Just look at how many local people are here just to support and show their support. That means a lot because we do support each other.
"The more we as a First Nation succeed, the more the local community will succeed, it goes hand in hand."
Following the dedication, lunch was served at nearby Victory Hall, with Indian tacos for everyone to enjoy.
In addition to showing on all official maps for the Village of Keremeos, the hope is that nix史ina蕯 Park will also show in provincial mapping and online documentation.
Keremeos council has made a dedicated commitment to moving towards Truth and Reconciliation with the local First Nations over the last three years, including having regular dialogues with the council of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band and working on building relationships with the Upper Similkameen Indian Band.
In 2023, the village unveiled the Every Child Matters crosswalk between the municipal offices and Memorial Park. The crosswalk was recently upgraded to be more resilient after it was weathered over the winter.
