On Tuesday September 24, Rocky Mountain School District held an “Every Child Matters” flag raising ceremony as part of their efforts to move forward in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. In raising the flag, the School District noted the importance of honouring the Survivors and all the children who were lost to residential schools, as well as recognizing their impact on Indigenous families and communities.   

The flag raised during the ceremony was created by artists Carol Louie (Ktunaxa), Robert Louie (Ktunaxa), Denice Louie (Athabascan) and Gabe Kobasiuk (Cree). Team member Robert Louie, a residential school survivor who passed away in 2022, previously said of the design “The heart with the broken lines was used to show how the residential school affected our people, our connections, our teachings. Though fractured, the hearts of our people continue and remain strong. And in all of our hearts, at the center of our communities are the little ones, our future – represented by the child’s hand. The eagle feather honours and recognizes all the children who were forced into residential school.”

School District staff were joined by Indigenous partners Kianna McCluskie on behalf of Chief Barb Cote from the Shuswap Band, Councilor Faro Burgyone from the ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation, Jocelyn Stuart and Mackenzie Henry from Métis Nation British Columbia, and Elder Diana Cote. Elder Diana shared her family’s story, illustrating the multigenerational trauma caused by residential schools.  She reminded those in attendance that Truth and Reconciliation is not something that just happens in a week, but rather something that survivors live every day. 

Also on hand for the ceremony were the Susapnana Drummers from the ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation, the Shuswap Band Drummers, and the Columbia River Dancers.  The highlight of the ceremony was the shared performance of the Susapnana Drummers and Columbia River Dancers - a beautiful coming together of the two local First Nations in support of the ‘Every Child Matters’ message. Open Doors Alternate School student, Madia Thomas, raised the flag on behalf of Rocky Mountain School District.    

For further information, please contact Jenny Reid, District Principal of Indigenous Learning and Equity at jenny.reid@sd6.b.ca or 250-688-5182.