The Peace River School Division will raise Métis and Treaty Eight flags at two of their schools to mark a physical reminder of the division’s commitment to Truth and Reconcilliation.
On March 12th, the division will honour both the Treaty Eight and Métis flag at Fairview Jr./Sr. High School, and E.E. Oliver Elementary School, before hosting a similar ceremony on March 13th at the division’s Central Operations building in Grimshaw.
PRSD Board of Trustees Chairperson Crystal Owens says flag-raising ceremonies are critical for schools across the division as they acknowledge the harm caused by residential schools while demonstrating that PRSD schools are a safe place for all students.
“As a Division, we feel it is important to recognize the territory our schools stand on is
appropriately recognized as Alberta, as Canada, as Treaty 8 territory, and as the land base of the Métis Nation,” she says. “We are excited to have our students witness the raising of these flags, which they will then see each and every day when they come to school.”
The division is inviting all residents who wish to attend, to join them in either Fairview or Grimshaw. The ceremonies in Fairview will begin at 12:30 p.m. at Fairview Jr./Sr. High School, followed by the ceremony at E.E. Oliver. The ceremony in Grimshaw will take place at 8:15 a.m. outside the Central Operations building.
