Local First Nations flags to fly for Truth and Reconciliation Day

Sep 9, 2022 | 6:00 AM

The Syilx Nation and Okanagan Nation Alliance flags will be flying at Vernon City Hall on September 30.

The flag raising will correspond with the second national day of Truth and Reconciliation.

The request to raise the flags came from Aneta Kashuba, a member of the Metis Nation and the Community Connections Coordinator for the Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society.

“[O]ne aspect of my job consists of educating immigrants about Indigenous people and the unseeded land on which we live,” said Kashuba in a letter to council.

“Amy Timleck from the Museum and Archives and I have been collaborating for the past month on organizing an event to honour and educate people on Truth and Reconciliation Day September 30. This would be a city wide event and the community of Vernon would be invited to join.”

Skyrocketing Rates

Vernon-Lumby MLA calling for more oversight of private wastewater services

4h ago

Crime watch

Prohibited firearms seized in Lake Country search

4h ago

Housing Construction

Housing builds in Vernon down annually

5h ago

Kashuba added they have reached out to the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB), and are working with them to ensure an Elder and other OKIB members will be in attendance for the flag raising.

The letter also requested having an Elder from the Syilx Nation bless the event, have a traditional drummer perform, then read over the 94 calls to action and break off into groups to discuss those measures.

“As leaders of our community, we believe it’s important to celebrate this day as an opportunity for learning, educating, and honouring the Indigenous people of this great nation,” wrote Kashuba.

Councillor Kelly Fehr put forward the notice of motion to raise the flags during the regular meeting Sept. 6.

Fehr requested the procedure bylaw, which requires discussions on notice of motions be pushed to the following meeting, be dismissed and that council vote on the matter during Tuesday’s meeting.

Council voted unanimously in favour of waving the procedure bylaw and then unanimously in favour of raising the flags.

The flags will be raised on Thursday, Sept. 29, and removed on Monday, Oct 1.

by Liam Verster

View Comments