A reconciliation flag raising event in Saskatoon will not be happening this year.
Since 2016, Reconciliation Saskatoon has held a flag raising event at Saskatoon Civic Square to honour Residential School Survivors and raise awareness about truth and reconciliation in the city.
However, in a letter posted online, the organization says with the rising number of Indigenous people suffering from homelessness and poverty it is asking if actions are resulting in real change.
The organization says the flag raising will be stopped in order for the community to have “space to pause, reflect and reconnect. Only then can we move forward in a good way.”
As a co-chair of Reconciliation Saskatoon the City has supported the decision.
Reconciliation Saskatoon’s annual Rock Your Roots: Walk for Reconciliation event on Indigenous Peoples’ Day on June 21 will still take place.