B.C. city permanently raises local First Nation's flag on Truth and Reconciliation Day
The City of White Rock marked the second ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday by raising the flag of the Semiahmoo First Nation at city hall.
Though it was raised on a special occasion, the flag will continue flying at city hall permanently, serving as "an enduring visual reminder of White Rock's location on the traditional territory of the Semiahmoo people," the city said in a statement.
“The raising of the Semiahmoo flag at White Rock City Hall is a proud moment for the Semiahmoo people," said Harley Chappell, chief of the Semiahmoo First Nation, in the statement.
"Those who see it will be reminded that they are walking on the traditional territory of the Semiahmoo. I would like to thank the City of White Rock for raising the flag. It speaks to the good intentions of the city, and the community, to continue down the road of reconciliation.”
White Rock Mayor Darryl Walker joined Chappell in raising the flag Friday morning, following a blessing ceremony led by members of the Semiahmoo First Nation.
“Moving toward Reconciliation takes all of us working together,” Walker said in the statement.
“Flying the Semiahmoo First Nation flag alongside the Canadian, B.C. and White Rock flags at city hall is an appropriate reflection of our community and of White Rock’s identity.”
The city says it has now joined several other B.C. municipalities – including Nanaimo, Cranbrook, Prince George and Williams Lake – that have raised the flags of local First Nations on a permanent basis.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Auston Matthews returns for Game 7, but Leafs minus injured goaltender Joseph Woll
Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews returned to the lineup for Game 7 against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.