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News Release: September 30, 2026

The Shuswap, Secwépemc Nation Territory, British Columbia - On Saturday, July 11, 2026, the Secwépemc Landmarks team were notified by one of the project partners that the Tappen Bluffs sculpture is missing. Both the stone sculpture (about 700 lbs) and the metalwork sculpture (about 200lbs) were removed.

Prior to any news releases, Secwepemc spiritual protocol was followed which included a Spiritual Site Cleanse at each missing/destroyed sculpture site along with Briefing Note updates to each of the four signatory Secwépemc communities. These were to receive community support for the endeavors and for the Spiritual safety of all people who may or have come into contact with any of the two sites or destroyed sculptures.

This sculpture was created by Secwépemc artisans Rod Tomma, Tilkotmes Tomma, and Rhona Bowe, and the metalwork sculpture was created by settler artisan Eric Kutschker. This project is guided by over 75 Secwépemc Elders of the four surrounding Secwépemc communities of Adams Lake Band, Neskonlith Band, Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw, Splatsin and their leadership.

The tangible and intangible costs of the hard work that many Secwépemc Elders, staff, youth and project partners have contributed to the success of this project and particular sculpture site are significant. The work of this project is meant to be shared with the general public, to enhance local trails and tourism, and share Secwepemc cultural and language.

Together, all measures have been taken to ensure these beautiful and amazing sculptures, that tell the story of the Secwépemc Elders in their own words, were built to endure extreme weather conditions for many years. It is extremely disheartening, to all project partners, that this valuable sculpture has been destroyed.

Since the Bastion sculpture went missing in similar fashion in 2024, the sculpture mounts have been bolstered. At the Tappen Bluffs site, there is evidence of ATV skid marks, potentially to pull the stone out of its place. They would have been forced to use industrial power tools to cut the stone from its mount within the concrete slab underneath.

Splatsín Elder, Julianna Alexander has stated: “the people need to be reminded that this is a serious criminal act and extremely disrespectful to the Secwépemc people and that this behaviour is unacceptable. If this was your ATV or your property and we rolled it down the mountain, how would that make you feel.”

Another Elder says: “they need to remember that when they destroy something they need to deal with what’s going on inside themselves that causes them to go out and destroy what doesn’t belong to them. They need to look in the mirror, they haven’t dealt with the spiritual side of themselves, the turmoil that causes them to do this damage (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual turmoil). They need to deal with the truth and accept it and not lie. Don’t believe the lies, gossip, and racist comments that people say about Indigenous people. If it were them, they have to think about how that feels, if we disrespected them and talked bad about them or destroy their property.”

Settler artisan, Eric Kutschker, stated “The language is such an important part of this sculpture. It has been such an honour to be included as part of the creative team in the Landmarks project, as I feel such a strong connection to this land, so it is so disheartening to see how a small group of individuals can destroy that experience for so many.”

 

Moving forward, mitigation measures will be discussed to factor in the effects of "human" activity and the future locations of the vandalized sculptures will be installed in locations as safe as possible. This is living proof that the Secwépemc presence on their ancient Traditional Territory is more crucial than ever.

If you have any information on this situation, please report it to your local RCMP, file # 26-4539. Donations towards the replacement of both the Bastion Mountain and Tappen Bluffs sculptures can be made through the Shuswap Trail Alliance at https://shuswaptrails.com/donate/donate/ and indicating Secwepemc Landmarks in the memo.

Respectfully, The Secwépemc Landmarks Project Team

For more information on this release, contact:

Shelley Witzky-Spemulecw (early-riser)

Secwépemc Landmarks Project Manager

Cell: 250-299-5170

Phone: 250-832-0102

Email: info@shuswaptrails.com

www.shuswaptrailalliance.com

Email: secwepemclandmarks@gmail.com