Kamloops Minor lacrosse is proud to stand and support Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc today, September 30, 2021, marking the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.

This day fulfills the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call-to-Action #80 and will serve as a day of remembrance, reflection, action and learning. The day honours the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

It also marks Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived Indian Residential Schools and remembers those who did not. It recalls the experience of residential school Survivor Phyllis Webstad, who at six was stripped of her shiny new orange shirt on her first day at the St. Joseph Mission Residential School near Williams Lake, BC. September 30 was chosen because it was the time of year when Indigenous children were removed from their families and forced to attend residential schools.

On this day, we encourage all to take an opportunity to reflect and explore the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and stories of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Click the link below to start your learning journey.

https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1621447127773/1621447157184

Kamloops Minor Lacrosse Association would like to recognize that we practice, play, and respect the land of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc. As an association we would also like to recognize that we play and respect the lands of the secwépemc, syilx and nlaka’pamux.

In light of the findings at the Kamloops Residential School, Kamloops Minor Lacrosse would like to show our support and stands with Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc, the nation and the rest of Canada’s Indigenous players who play The Creator’s Game.

All proceeds from merchandise sold will go to the Fusion Spirit Foundation. The Fusion Spirit Foundation was created to help Indigenous youth gain opportunities to learn and play the medicine game here in British Columbia. The foundation aims to create sustainable programs with Indigenous communities to develop a cycle of learning, skill development, mentorship and growth.

More information can be found at https://www.fusionspiritfoundation.com/.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED:

1. PURCHASE MERCHANDISE BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1st:

Instructions:
a) Visit website https://xtremestore.ca/collections/tk-emlups-te-secwe-pemc
b) Order carefully and pick correct sizes. Items are made to order, no returns.
c) You MUST choose ‘STORE PICKUP’ for the Delivery Method. Orders will NOT be shipped to individual homes.
d) Store CLOSES September 1st, order by August 31st.

• We expect the association order to be completed the end of September.
• Information will then be sent regarding the Kamloops pick-up time and location.
  e) Any questions, please contact Karen von Hollen at vp1@kamloopsrattlers.com or cell at 778-586-0515.

KMLA sends our appreciation and thanks to xTreme Threads for generously offering to help this fundraiser beyond the set-up of the store. We would also like to thank KMLA alumni Tyrell Hamer-Jackson (NLL professional player for the Vancouver Warriors) for wanting to be a part of this fundraiser by offering proceeds from his new product ‘Grip 95’ featured within the store. Thank you to the KMLA board and parents for their ideas, suggestions, input, and support for creating this fundraiser.

2. DONATE TO FUSION SPIRIT FOUNDATION:

a) Visit website https://www.fusionspiritfoundation.com/donate.
b) Etransfers are also being accepted by Karen von Hollen at vp1@kamloopsrattlers.com.
c) Corporate donations, please contact Kevin at kevin@fusionwestlacrosse.com.

3. DONATE NEW OR USED, GOOD CONDITION LACROSSE EQUIPMENT:

How to donate equipment:
a) Let your coach know that you have equipment to donate.
b) Contact Karen at vp1@kamloopsrattlers.com.
c) KMLA will collect donated equipment and present to the Fusion Spirit Foundation at the end of the fundraiser.

4. EDUCATION:
https://tkemlups.ca/
https://www.fusionspiritfoundation.com/get-involved

The Creator’s Game, Lacrosse, offers participants physical activity and the opportunity to play Canada’s National
Summer Sport, the oldest Canadian sport.

The Province of BC is now in Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan as of July 1, 2021. Sport organizations will transition back to close to normal sport operations with fewer restrictions and guidelines moving forward. This refined Return to Lacrosse document is to assist our members in their Return to Lacrosse with sport-specific guidelines created by the BCLA.

viaSport BC’s Return to Sport Restart Plan 2.0 aligns with BC’s Restart Plan for sport to operate safely during COVID-19.
This document provides guidelines and considerations for viaSport’s Restart Plan 2.0 as it relates to Lacrosse activities.
When Kamloops Minor Lacrosse Association (KMLA) is making decisions about returning to sport, we have been
advised to carefully introduce new activities as well as continuing to follow the BC Health authorities’ guidance. We
must all understand that each city/municipality has different limitations, therefore, we have been asked to work
closely with the City of Kamloops to follow their guidelines, to offer a safe environment for all participants.

Kamloops Minor Lacrosse Association would like to send out our heartfelt thoughts and stand in support with our players, families, and community of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, along with many other Indigenous people and communities who are also grieving the remains of 215 Indigenous Children at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.

Prior to the cancellation of the 2020 season, Adam Kaufman, Store Manager at BigSteelBox, helped MKLA to purchase a c-can at a reduced cost equal to 2 jersey sponsorships!!

We purchased the c-can container in 2019, with the help of a grant made available to us by the Kamloops Sports Legacy Fund. The c-can is used to house the majority of our equipment for the association. Your Support is appreciated.

Big Steel Box is fantastic to deal with! They are knowledgeable, accommodating and have very friendly staff.

Check them out for any of your storage needs.
https://www.bigsteelbox.com/location/kamloops/