Reconciliation flag raised at City Hall honours Residential School era warriors
- EFN Staff | May 29, 2019
The City of Saskatoon, Métis Nation - Saskatchewan, and Saskatoon Tribal Council, along with the 98 business and community organization members of Reconciliation Saskatoon, gathered in Civic Square outside City Hall May 24th to raise the Reconciliation flag.
In honour of the warriors who endured the residential school era, the ceremony also remembered all those affected by the Sixties Scoop, Day Schools, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
“With the guidance of Elders and Survivors and the commitment of a hundred different non-profits, businesses, and institutions, Saskatoon is charting a path forward toward reconciliation,” said Mayor Charlie Clark. “This is important work that we need to do in order to live up to the spirit of Treaty and the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and it is remarkable to witness and be a part of the progress we are collectively making. Ultimately, we are a stronger community because of the relationships that are being built and the groundwork that is being laid for the future of our city.”
“This year’s theme is Re-Igniting the Fire. We celebrate diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation as we move towards the future,” said Glen McCallum, President, Métis Nation – Saskatchewan. “This is our opportunity, Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, to come together, walk together and our commitment to making change and having a better quality of life for our children.”
The Reconciliation Saskatoon movement has grown to 98 member organizations since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada issued 94 Calls to Action in June 2015. The aim of the group is to support a community conversation about the process of Canadian reconciliation and to educate residents to engage in calls to action.
“I am willing to stand with anybody that wants to make a difference in people’s lives,” says Mark Arcand, Tribal Chief, Saskatoon Tribal Council. “As we are all Treaty people, we must continue to work together to build partnerships and relationships to benefit all people of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and across the country so all people can have a quality of life.”
The event included dancers, fiddlers, O’Canada in Cree by Falyn Baptiste, a group jig and a passionate plea for allies by The Right Reverend Jordan Cantrell, Moderator of The United Church of Canada.
Stay tuned for our Photo Gallery from the event.