Valentine’s Day gift buying not slowed by pandemic in Kelowna - Okanagan
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Love is in the air and this Valentine’s Day is no different than years in the past, as friends, families and lovers spoil one another.
The pandemic hasn’t slowed flower sales at Funky Petals in Kelowna, where a dozen roses are a time-honoured tradition.
“We’ve been going since the beginning of January just preparing,” said Louise MacLeod, Funky Petals owner and florist.
“Today and yesterday the orders have been pouring in. Typically Valentine’s Day on a Sunday isn’t very busy but, because of the pandemic it’s been very busy.”
MacLeod has had to take over a separate space just to store the thousands of blooms ready to be bundled into a bouquet.
Read more: Okanagan retailers bracing for tough Christmas season
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Sweetening the deal this Valentine’s Day weekend, Karat Chocolates has shoppers falling in love at first bite.
“For us, we feel very blessed,” said Amanda Helman, Karat Chocolate.
“Definitely the ‘support local’ movement has helped us grow and thrive but this Valentine’s Day has been especially busy.”
1:57 Card-makers finding ways to say “I love you” amid COVID-19 Card-makers finding ways to say “I love you” amid COVID-19 – Feb 12, 2021
Smiles that diamonds bring are a match made in heaven at J.K. Schmidt Jewellers.
“People are here and not necessarily travelling so it’s nice they can buy something they can remember,” said Krista Schmidt.
“Hearts are always very popular.”
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Many things have been cancelled over the year but one thing is certain, spoiling the ones you love — safely — hasn’t.
Some stores in Kamloops mall remain closed; possibly for good
Kamloops News Some stores in Kamloops mall remain closed; possibly for good
Davids Tea has yet to reopen its location in the Kamloops Aberdeen mall. (BRIE WELTON / iNFOnews.ca)
June 18, 2020 - 3:15 PM
Although many retail stores have reopened with new COVID-19 protocols in place, several remain closed in Kamloops’s Aberdeen mall.
La Senza is among these, and will be closing for good. The fate of the remaining closed stores is less certain.
Currently, the unopened stores include Davids Tea, Bath and Body Works, Call it Spring, Jersey City and Peoples Jewellers.
Call it Spring is owned by Aldo, and has yet to reopen in the Aberdeen Mall. (BRIE WELTON / iNFOnews.ca)
According to a statement released by the company earlier this week, Davids Tea has not paid rent at any of its stores for April, May or June.
All of their locations were closed on March 17, and it’s unknown when and how many of them will reopen.
Davids Tea also said in the statement it may pursue a formal restructuring as the company looks to close some of its unprofitable locations.
The Montreal-based shoe chain Aldo Group, which owns Call it Spring, has also been facing financial challenges due to COVID-19.
No statements have been released from the retail companies thus far regarding the reopening of their Kamloops locations.
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Remains of 215 children found at former Kamloops residential school: First Nation
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Share this Story: Remains of 215 children found at former Kamloops residential school: First Nation
Remains of 215 children found at former Kamloops residential school: First Nation Students were sent to the school from as far away as Penticton, Hope, Mount Currie, Lillooet and even outside the province. Photo by COURTESY ARCHIVES DESCHÂTELETS-NDC, RICHELIEU
Article content KAMLOOPS — A B.C. First Nation has confirmed that the remains of 215 children who were students of the Kamloops Indian Residential School have been found on the reserve using ground-penetrating radar.
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Article content In a news release, Tk’emlups te Secwépemc First Nation Chief Rosanne Casimir calls the discovery an “unthinkable loss that was spoken about, but never documented by the Kamloops Indian Residential School,” which was the largest school in the country’s Indian Affairs residential school system. We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Remains of 215 children found at former Kamloops residential school: First Nation Back to video “We had a knowing in our community that we were able to verify. To our knowledge, these missing children are undocumented deaths,” Casimir said. “Some were as young as three years old. We sought out a way to confirm that knowing out of deepest respect and love for those lost children and their families, understanding that Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc is the final resting place of these children.” B.C. Premier John Horgan issued a statement early Friday, saying he was “horrified and heartbroken” to hear about the burial site.
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Article content “I honour Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc as they grapple with this burden from a dark chapter of Canadian history and uphold their commitment to complete this investigation over the coming weeks – bringing to light the full truth of this loss,” said Horgan. “Each child has been forever taken from a family and a community that loved them. This is a tragedy of unimaginable proportions. And it is a stark example of the violence the Canadian residential school system inflicted upon Indigenous peoples and how the consequences of these atrocities continue to this day.” Photo by Jason Payne / PNG Horgan said support services are available for those affected by this news. A National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former Residential School students and those affected. Access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1 866 925-4419.
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Article content The work was undertaken by the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc language and culture department, with ceremonial Knowledge Keepers who ensured that the work was conducted respectfully in light of the serious nature of the investigation, with cultural protocols being upheld. Photo by Ken Favrholdt Casimir said that, given the children are buried within the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc community, and with all community members still grappling with the effects of residential school, chief and council first reached out to their community members to make them aware of the situation, contact that continues. Lisa Lapointe, B.C.’s chief coroner, said the BC Coroners Service was advised by the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc about the discovery of the burial site and is in the process of gathering information.
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Article content “We recognize the tragic, heartbreaking devastation that the Canadian residential school system has inflicted upon so many, and our thoughts are with all of those who are in mourning today,” said Lapointe, in a statement Thursday. Casimir said Tk’emlúps will continue to work with the ground-penetrating radar specialist to complete the survey of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School grounds, which are at the corner of Highway 5 and Shuswap Road. Preliminary work in confirming that the remains of the children were on the reserve began in the early 2000s, Casimir said, with the radar technology confirming the stories. “We are thankful for the Pathway to Healing grant we received to undertake this important work,” Casimir said. “Given the size of the school, with up to 500 students registered and attending at any one time, we understand that this confirmed loss affects First Nations communities across British Columbia and beyond. We wish to ensure that our community members, as well as all home communities for the children who attended, are duly informed. This is the beginning, but given the nature of this news, we felt it important to share immediately. At this time, we have more questions than answers. We look forward to providing updates as they become available.”
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Article content Tk’emlups is now in communication with the B.C. Coroners Service, reaching out to the home communities that had children who attended the Kamloops Indian Residential School, and taking measures to ensure the locations of the remains are protected. In addition, the Secwépemc Museum archivist is working with the Royal British Columbia Museum, among others, to seek out any existing records of the deaths. Tk’emlups’ Heritage Park is closed to the public and no one will be permitted on site for the duration of the work. The band is expected to complete preliminary findings by mid-June and will be providing updates as they become available. Photo by Ken Favrholdt The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) noted that large numbers of Indigenous children who were sent to residential schools never returned to their home communities. Some children ran away and others died at the schools. The students who did not return have come to be known as the Missing Children. The Missing Children Project documents the deaths and the burial places of children who died while attending the schools. To date, more than 4,100 children who died while attending a residential school have been identified.
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Article content The Kamloops Industrial School (later known as the Kamloops Indian Residential School) was opened, under Roman Catholic administration, in 1890. It was part of the Canadian residential school system, established as part of the government policy of forced assimilation that resulted in the oppression of generations of Indigenous children. It was one of more than 130 such schools that operated in Canada between 1874 and 1996. Located on the traditional territory of the Secwépemc people, hundreds of Secwépemc and other First Nations children attended the Kamloops school. Students were sent there from as far away as Penticton, Hope, Mount Currie, Lillooet and even outside the province. Enrolment peaked in the early 1950s at 500. Children were forcibly removed from their homes once attendance became mandatory by law in the 1920s, with their parents under threat of prison if they refused. Students lived at the school from September to June, alienated from their family except for Christmas and Easter visits.
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Article content It became the largest school in the Indian Affairs residential school system. In 1969, the federal government took over the administration of the school, which no longer provided any classes and operated it as residence for students attending local day schools until 1978, when the residence was closed. Home communities of students Neskainlith, North Thompson, Kamloops, Pavilion, Penticton, Adam’s Lake, Bonaparte, Fountain, Douglas L., Okanagan, Quilchena, Shulus, Little Shuswap, Coldwater, L. Nicola, Bridge R. Enderby, Deadman’s Cr., Hope, Leon’s C., Cayoose, Salmon R., Canoe C., Lillooet, Mount Currie (Lilwat Nation), D’Arcy (Nquatqua), Seabird Island, Skwah, Kamloops, Union Bar, Head of L., Deroche, Spuzzum, Shalalth, Spalumcheen. * Note: Tk’emlups said it is its understanding there were children that came from other communities not listed here. Read more B.C. news at kamloopsthisweek.com
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