The Saskatoon Reconciliation Flag flew high at City Hall in Saskatoon on Wednesday.
The flag was raised at a ceremony at City Hall, which is a part of a month-long series of events taking place in Saskatoon devoted to reconciliation.
Last June, Saskatoon City Council unanimously declared the year 2015-2016 as the year of reconciliation.
During this past month, several events have been taking place to encourage citizens in the city to find their own personal calls to action for reconciliation.
The month will end with a day of celebration on June 22.
Many of the city’s First Nation and Metis leaders were on hand for Wednesday’s flag raising.
Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Felix Thomas says he was happy to see so many elders and residential school survivors at the ceremony.
“They are seeing the start of reconciliation and they are seeing the start of something that is restoring the partnership that was supposed to happen in the treaties,” said Chief Thomas.
“This is a small step toward reconciliation,” said FSIN Senator Ted Quewezance. “It’s a movement and any type of movement can build and it will be both painful and positive.”
Also on hand for the flag raising was Central Urban Metis Federation President Shirley Isbister who says the flag raising marked a historic day in the city.
“For me reconciliation is about diversity and Saskatoon is rich in diversity and it is our job to mind that commodity and have everyone welcome each other and be able to walk side by side,” said Isbister.
Several other Saskatoon dignitaries and citizens also gathered to celebrate the flag raising through traditional song and dance.
Several other reconciliation events are planned throughout the month before the celebration day on June 22.