The Survivors' Flag raised last week near the village office. (National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation)

By Derek Cornet

reconciliation

Air Ronge raises Survivors’ Flag

Jul 10, 2024 | 5:00 PM

The Village of Air Ronge has taken another step in the reconciliation process by raising the Survivors’ Flag outside of its main office last week.

According to the National Centre of Truth and Reconciliation, the Survivors’ Flag is an expression of remembrance, meant to honour residential school survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada.

Each element depicted on the flag was carefully selected by survivors from across Canada, who were consulted in the flag’s creation. The elements on the flag include the family, the children, the seeds below ground, a tree of peace, cedar branch, cosmic symbolism, the Métis sash, an eagle feather and an Inukshuk.

“I am very happy. They are taking the lead and challenging,” said Air Ronge council Elder Tom Roberts.

“[Mayor Julie Baschuk] is challenging all other municipalities in Northern Saskatchewan to fly the Survivors’ Flag and I am going to reiterate that. Let’s fly the flag in our communities and that shows we are showing appreciation and making a chance to change the understand of who we are as First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in Canada.”

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The idea to raise the flag came from local historian Teron Roberts. He approached village council about doing so and council members approved of the plan. The Survivors’ Flag will likely permanently be hung where the Reconciliation Flag used to fly.

Tom Roberts raising the Survivors’ Flag at a ceremony held last week. (Submitted photo/Julie Baschuk)

“We are just going to use the Survivors’ Flag for now,” Roberts explained.

“I asked Julie how long will the Survivors’ Flag be up and she said ‘as long as you want,’ so I said ‘OK, as long as the sun shines, the grass grows and waters flow’ and she said, ‘right on.’”

Roberts noted it is significant the Survivors’ Flag is raised because it is part of the healing process. He added it is also a demonstration of the tragic impact of residential schools and sends a strong message to those who deny the government-funded cultural genocide ever happened.

Read more about the Survivors Flag online here.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com