The District of West Vancouver will raise the orange Survivors’ Flag this Friday, in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which is Sept. 30.
The flag, due to be raised at 9 a.m. at the West Vancouver Municipal Hall at 750 17th St., comprises different illustrated elements carefully chosen by survivors from across the country.
Designed to be an expression of remembrance, it includes depictions of family, children, the Métis sash, inuksuit, and cedar branches, among other cultural symbolism.
The event will kick off Friday morning, with a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) community member leading proceedings with a speech. District staff, members of the West Vancouver Police Department and West Vancouver Fire & Rescue, alongside colleagues from North Shore Emergency Management, will be attendance.
The raising is a way for the community to reflect on the “tragic legacy of residential schools,” said Scott Findlay, the District of West Vancouver’s municipal manager.
“Everyone is welcome to attend, and people at the district will be encouraged to wear their orange shirts to honour the children who did not return home, the families left behind, and all survivors of these institutions,” he added.
“We are committed to the ongoing journey of reconciliation.”
Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
