Penticton Indian Band elder blesses new rainbow crosswalk – Okanagan | 24CA News
The group of Penticton, B.C., gathered on the new two-spirit rainbow crosswalk for a blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The crosswalk is painted with the rainbow and Indigenous symbols to mirror inclusivity.
Penticton Indian Band elder Grace Greyeyes carried out the blessing ceremony on the set up that joins Queen’s Park Elementary and the Community Centre.
“For the children that walk on this, they will be proud someday to say I witnessed this,” mentioned Greyeyes throughout the ceremony.
Elder Grace was joined by officers from Penticton Indian Band (PIB), the School District, and the City of Penticton in addition to Queens Park Elementary School college students to chop the ribbon.
The thought was first delivered to council by Queens Park college students, with assist from instructor Nicole Simons a 12 months in the past.
“The crosswalk is representing love, kindness, and inclusion. Schools are a safe place for children and youth and families, and we need to show that, and this crosswalk is a start,” mentioned Simons.
“I’m grateful that the Penticton Indian Band was able to collaborate with us, the City of Penticton, the school board was very supportive, and our families here at Queen’s Park.”
Since the set up lower than two weeks in the past, the crosswalk has been the goal of obvious vandalism which the college district, metropolis, and PIB have strongly condemned.
“We use picture books to tell stories, stories are powerful, we know that from our Indigenous People’s storytelling teaches a lesson,” mentioned Simons.
“This rainbow sidewalk with our two-spirit representation is also a story being told. And it’s important for our children, our youth or families to see themselves represented in our schools, in our community and that is the big picture.”
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