Saskatoon school recognizes Indigenous veterans

A Saskatoon elementary school recognized the contributions of Indigenous veterans by unveiling Treaty 6 and Mtis flags at its Remembrance Day ceremony.

The Vincent Massey Community School has permanently installed the two flags after a presentation Monday.

Principal Ian Wilson said it was one of a number of ways the school was working towards reconciliation.

"The act of remembrance and then the installation of the flags and the recognition of that partnership that we have between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Saskatchewan I think is a very important message," said Wilson.

Onion Lake First Nation Chief Wallace Fox and Mtis Nation Saskatchewan Senator Nora Cummings were invited to speak to students about the history of the flags and the role of First Nations and Mtis veterans in Canada.

Historic items such as medals and uniforms were displayed for the children during the ceremony. The school boys' Indigenous powwow drum group sang the Treaty 6 song and students also sang the Mtis and Canadian anthems.

Wilson said it was a special ceremony for the students.

"Our Indigenous citizens in Saskatchewan volunteered for both world wars and other armed forces and conflicts at a very high rate and so we think that's an important thing to remember," he said.