Calgary,
16
December
2019
|
15:27
America/Denver

Indigenous Flags Displayed in Calgary Council Chamber

In a time of Indigenous Reconciliation, The City of Calgary has taken another step towards recognition of the past by permanently displaying the flags of all member nations of Treaty 7 and the Métis Nation of Alberta Region 3 in City Council’s Chamber.

“We live in a time of reconciliation, where new relationships between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Canadians are being created based on mutual recognition of the past and mutual respect,” said Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

The City has worked to engage all member nations of Treaty 7, the Métis Nation of Alberta Region 3, and Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee (CAUAC) since receiving Council’s direction. It has been a collaborative effort to develop a strategy and proposal to permanently display the Indigenous flags in Council Chamber.

“Today represents a sincere and mutual desire to forge a better future together through a process of truth and healing,” said Mayor Nenshi.

All members have agreed that the seven Treaty 7 flags will be displayed in alphabetical order from right to left (Bearspaw Nation, Blood Tribe/Kainai Nation, Chiniki Nation, Piikani Nation, Siksika Nation, Tsuut’ina Nation and Wesley Nation) with the Métis Nation as the final flag.

This initiative aligns with Council’s adoption of the recommendations made by CAUAC in their report White Goose Flying, which advised that adding the flags would create conditions for mutual respect and sustained collaboration on matters impacting Indigenous Nations in this Territory, as well as all Indigenous people living in Calgary and area.

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Indigenous leaders in attendance at the Council meeting:

Chief Darcy Dixon, Bearspaw First Nation Chief Aaron Young, Chiniki First Nation Chief Stanley Grier, Piikani Nation Chief Clifford Poucette, Wesley First Nation Stanley Big Plume, Tsuu T'ina Nation Lawrence Gervais, President Métis Nation of Alberta Region 3 Anne Many Heads, CEO Treaty 7 First Nations Chiefs' Association Careen Provost, Treaty 7 First Nations Chiefs' Association Moez Maherali, Treaty 7 First Nations Chiefs' Association

PHOTO: Indigenous leaders join Calgary City Council members in permanently raising the flags (pictured grouped on the right in the photo) of all member nations of Treaty 7 and the Métis Nation of Alberta Region 3 in City Council’s Chamber.