Chief Shane Gottfriedson addressing the Powwow in Kamloops, BC, August, 2015

About four years ago we started a fight for our people, our people left out of the residential school settlement. We started to fight for our human rights – that our day scholar get compensation. Our court has recognized us. We wanted our descendants to receive compensation. This is the first time that the loss of language and culture has been recognized by the court system. We fought hard for our people and we fought because it was the right thing to do. I acknowledge our relatives and our counsel for always believing in our people. I acknowledge our plaintiffs for going back to their memories of the residential schools. I acknowledge their journey for us.

In closing I want everyone to know I have been chief for 12 years here. This is my last powwow for one the greatest communities in this country. I am now regional chief and that means I will fight hard for every person here from coast to coast. Thank you very much.

– Chief Shane Gottfriedson addressing the Powwow in Kamloops, BC, August, 2015