Over two days, and in three Ceremonies, the Peace River School Division partnered with local Indigenous leaders to raise both the Treaty 8 and Métis flag outside three of their buildings.

Recognizing the importance of upholding the treaty relationships that are at Canada's foundation, the Peace River School Division restated their commitment to Truth and Reconciliation by holding flag raising Ceremonies on Wednesday, March 12 at both Fairview Jr./Sr. High School and E.E. Oliver Elementary School, and on Thursday, March 13 at our Central Operations building in Grimshaw. 

"We are deeply grateful that we are now able to proudly fly these flags at our Central Operations building, and outside of our schools in Grimshaw and now Fairview, and soon across our division. We hope that these flags show others that we are committed to meaningful acts of Truth and Reconciliation but also that we understand we still have a long way to go. Having these flags in the boardroom for central operations will make sure that we never forget to continue to learn and grow."

- Board Chair Crystal Owens, PRSD Board of Trustees

The Ceremonies in Fairview and Grimshaw were attended by Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi, Duncan's First Nation Chief Virginia Gladue, Woodland Cree First Nation Chief Isaac Laboucan-Avirom, Ceremonial Elders Dustin Twin and Rod Twin, Peace River Métis District 14 Citizens' Representative Barry Dibb, among several other important guests. 

The Ceremonies were deeply moving events inclusive of both somber moments encouraging learning and growth, and celebration. Drummers from Driftpile First Nation set the tone, grounding students, staff and other guests to the present moment, connecting their heartbeats to the music, and immersing those gathered in traditional Indigenous song. Throughout the Ceremonies, the drummers performed four songs: a chief song, an honour song, a flag song, and a victory song.

The Ceremonies in Fairview also featured the talents of the Doig River First Nation Drummers from northeastern B.C. Staff and students were invited to participate in some traditional Dene dances.

"As First Nations, we don't have a good history of education in this country. It took 125 years to raise this flag today. That is a statement, but it also shows we are progressing. We are moving forward in unity."

- Chief Isaac Laboucan-Avirom, Woodland Cree First Nation

"We believe in our flag and we believe in our Treaty...One thing to understand is that we never did give up our land. We don't give up our land. Our land is our Mother. We don't give up our Mother. We know were we belong, we know where we come from, and that is the land."

- Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi, Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta

"The Métis flag is one of the oldest Indigenous flags in Canada. Its infinity symbol represents the unbreakable spirit of our people, our culture, our identity. It symbolizes both joining two cultures and the lasting existence of the Métis Nation."

- Barry Dibb, Citizens' Representative, Métis District 14, Peace River.

While both the ceremonies in Fairview and Grimshaw needed to take place indoors because of cold winter temperatures, the ceremonies did conclude outside with the raising of the flags.