The flag represents a commitment to reconciliation and the college's students. (submitted photo/Jamie Chester)

By Derek Cornet

flag ceremony

Northlands College raises reconciliation flag in Air Ronge

Nov 1, 2019 | 4:52 PM

A flag representing a commitment to reconciliation is flying proudly outside the Northland College campus in Air Ronge.

It was raised Friday during a special ceremony attended by students and staff, along with Tom Roberts and Resident Elder Elie Fleury. President and CEO Guy Penney, who assumed the position back in August, attended and said the idea originated from the board and everyone was happy to see in come to fruition.

“I very quickly made sure I was making myself aware of previous board commitments and board initiatives, and this is one of them that stem back prior to me coming the president and CEO,” he said. “I was very pleased to find out the board was still committed to this endeavour.”

With approximately 96 per cent of the student body being of Indigenous ancestry, the event was meant to re-affirm the college’s commitment to reconciliation and its students. Currently, the college also has an Indigenization Strategy underway, which will include the hiring of an Indigenous initiatives manager. Penney said interviews for the position could begin as early as next week and the successful candidate will work closely with Fleury to ensure Indigenous ways of knowing are embedded in the institution.

Penney is also hopeful other colleges across the province follow suit, adding flagpoles for reconciliation flags have already been installed for Northlands campuses in Buffalo Narrows and Creighton.

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“I will certainly by word of mouth and social media be letting my counterparts at other regional colleges in the province aware of the fact we had this ceremony this morning, and if they haven’t done so already, certainly encourage them to do the same,” he said.

Staff and students attended the ceremony in Air Ronge. (submitted photo/Jamie Chester)

Northlands College has already worked incorporating tradition cultural activities into programming and also recently opened a cultural space to provide students an opportunity to engage in tradition activities and ceremonies.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno