School District 67 and Penticton Indian Band host flag-raising ceremony – Okanagan | 24CA News
A ceremony Friday commemorated the continued partnership between School District 67 and the Penticton Indian Band.
The flagpoles exterior the School District 67 (SD67) workplace now have two new additions with the elevating of the Okanagan Nation Alliance and Penticton Indian Band (PIB) flags.
“As a descendant of the original inhabitants of this vast land, we call SnPink’tn, it’s an honour that you recognize who we are,” mentioned PIB Chief Greg Gabriel.
The course of began a number of years in the past so as to add the PIB flag in entrance of the college district workplaces however finally led to an even bigger occasion.
“We reached out to the Penticton Indian Band through chief and council and the feedback that we received is, ‘That sounds like a great idea, we really think it’s important that you ensure the Okanagan Nation alliance flag is raised,’” mentioned Todd Manuel, superintendent of SD67.
The occasion was attended by elected officers, RCMP and the Ministry of Education, who all acknowledged the importance of the ceremony.
“This flag raising is such an important symbol and message to the community but to all of B.C. about the places that we’re going and learning how to, in the words of Justice Murray Sinclair, be good neighbours of each other,” mentioned Denise Augustine, superintendent of Indigenous training.
After elevating the flags the brand new identify and art work for the IMC constructing have been revealed.
It will now be often called the siyá?(Siya) centre, named after one of many 4 meals chiefs. Indigenous assist staff and district employees have been impressed to make use of a reputation that was extra related to the area.
“The idea that this is a place where we come to learn together, to plan, innovate, to think about our students and all that we do as a district. Of course, we’re here for our students and this really acknowledges that work,” mentioned Manuel.
PIB members say that the ceremony Friday was a step in the correct course in the direction of reconciliation efforts in the neighborhood.
“I think we need to continue building on these kinds of relationships, it’s for the betterment of both communities and especially better for our upcoming generations and those yet to come,” Gabriel mentioned.
Gabriel says this enables Indigenous college students to really feel at dwelling whereas they’re in school, as their tradition is acknowledged and celebrated.
“This really helps with them knowing that the school district, the schools themselves and the teachers that look after our kids each and every day, are starting to learn the significance of how our culture and our teachings have impacted their lives,” he mentioned.
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