Ecole HJ Cody High School held a special flag-raising ceremony honouring Indigenous culture and the continued work in reconciliation on May 17.
The ceremony brought a number of special guests to the school including Knowledge Keeper Elder John Sinclair, Mayor Megan Hanson, Associate Superintendent Karyn Barber, Chinook’s Edge Indigenous lead Carolynne Muncer, a Red Deer Dance Troupe, singers, drummers and TikTok influencer Notorious Cree.
The special flag ceremony was led by Clare Butterfly where treaty teachings and the significance of a number of different Indigenous dances including a grass dance, a women’s traditional dance, a men’s traditional dance, a women’s jingle dance, a women’s fancy dance, a men’s chicken dance and a men’s fancy dance were shared, Principal Mike Garrow said.
“The treaty and Metis flags displayed at HJ Cody acknowledges and welcomes our Indigenous students and families. They also are a symbol that acknowledges and honours the Treaties and Metis agreements that were signed in our country.
“The history and impacts of treaty relationships on Indigenous people, our school, and our community. “We are all treaty people” means we all have rights and obligations with respect to treaty.”
HJ Cody students Dashayne Morin and Leland Mitsuing put on an amazing show for everyone in attendance during the celebration, Garrow said.
Understanding of Indigenous culture is something everyone should learn in Canada, Morin said.
“The land is shared between people like you and me, and I would like everyone to realize the history behind it. It’s always about teaching people what you don’t understand. I would like everyone to understand what we are to Canada.”
The Metis and Treaty Six flag were put in the school’s common area.
“I would like to thank our special guests and the teaching they provided to us. We are all treaty people and it is so important that we continue to build a renewed relationship with Indigenous Peoples,” Garrow said.
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