In my last story “Rectify and reconciling: A Historical Discussion on the Kamloops Chinese Cemetery,” a student scholar and I discussed why and how the TRU community can help reconcile with the Chinese Canadian population of Kamloops. We also briefly mentioned the efforts of the city of Kamloops to help with reconciliation for this community, and this story will take a deeper dive on those communal efforts. 

When the Canadian government recognized their wrongdoing towards the Chinese Canadian community there have since been many efforts from various groups to help recognize and rectify this dark past. These efforts include the Canadian government’s gifting of a commemorative monument to the cemetery, the ongoing maintenance to the surrounding gardens from Kamloops cultural associations, and even the beautification of grave markers by elementary school students. 

Through a conversation with Madeline Hobgood, a TRU student knowledgeable on the subject of cultural ethics, we will gain insight on why these efforts from the community are important and should be recognized.