Credit: Avon Maitland District School Board
South Huron is preparing to raise the Every Child Matters flag on its community pole – the first flag being raised following it’s installation this summer.
Monique Pregent is Anishinaabe, and serves as the Indigenous Education Lead at the Avon Maitland District School Board, she played a pivotal role in making this happen.
She noticed a lack of events in her area to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In response, she reached out to the municipality, and they drew her attention to the community flag pole.
This reflects a broader movement in Canada. Pregent says that truth and reconciliation require acknowledging a painful chapter in the nation’s past.
Pregent says that learning about Indigenous history is instrumental for everyone.
The Every Child Matters flag will be the first raised on the community pole, which was installed following discussion at council this summer.
Pregent says that while flags aren’t a symbol established by or integrated with the Indigenous community, raising the flag marks a huge amount of progress. However, there’s still more work to be done.
She will be conducting a smudging ceremony with sage, which is used to dispel negativity and the attract positivity. This will accompany the flag-raising event on Saturday morning at 9:00 in the Exeter Parkette – the entire community is welcome to join.
Pregent says that while National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is important, it’s important that we recognize it throughout the year. She says that she considers truth and reconciliation to be positive things, presenting the opportunity to learn and move forward together.
Written by: B. Shakyaver