All schools in the Lloydminster Public School Division (LPSD) now have had ceremonies to raise the Treaty 6 and Métis Nation flags.
Winston Churchill School completed the process on Wednesday, June 12 with the rendering of the nations’ anthems as both flags were raised in the school’s gym. Since May 2022, when Saskatchewan’s lieutenant governor came to Lloydminster Comprehensive High School for the first event, the flag-raising process has been ongoing at the 10 public schools.
Elder Shirley Gervais has been sharing with LPSD students for the past five years. She noted the sense of pride to see the flags hoisted in the school gym.
“When I see the flag going up, it represents my journey for me in the schools over the last five years. One objective was to tell you to be proud of who you are. Remember to be kind to each other. Smiles and hugs are free.”
Elder Rose Watchmaker stressed the myriad of issues facing young people on reserve as she encouraged the elementary school kids to “keep on going.”
Director of education, Jason Neville is celebrating the work done in the past two years along the path of Truth and Reconciliation and shares on the next steps going forward.
“We have been having conversations on that. The learning will continue in the buildings that we have raised the flags in.”
Programs like the land-based studies at Bishop Lloyd and the forthcoming grade nine pathways building into the high school are some of the avenues, notes Neville as he salutes the staff and personnel that facilitate the learning opportunities for the students.
