The Métis and Treaty 6 flags flying alongside the Canadian and Saskatchewan flags outside the SRPSD's office. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Action is Louder Than Words

Sask. Rivers raises Métis and Treaty 6 flags for first time

Oct 12, 2022 | 3:00 PM

A special ceremony was recently held by the Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division (SRPSD) to promote reconciliation with Indigenous people.

Around 100 people withstood the windy conditions on Wednesday to watch the Métis flag and Treaty 6 flag be raised for the first time outside the division’s office. The flags have previously been on display across their schools, but never raised during an official ceremony.

Robert Bratvold, SRPSD director of education, told paNOW they did this just as much for the community as they did for their staff and students.

“It’s so that everybody knows that they can see themselves in our schools,” he said.

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He also explained the division wanted to do more than just say the right words. He noted action is the only way everyone can officially move toward reconciliation.

“It’s important to have the land acknowledgments, the truth about residential schools, the truth about colonization and then it’s important to take action, take action to move us towards a better place,” Bratvold said.

Among those in attendance were local Elders, veterans, those from local First Nations and Métis groups as well as students and staff from different schools in the division.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow