Terry Fox Elementary School in Bathurst became the 14th school in Anglophone North School District to permanently raise the Mi’kmaq Grand Council Flag.
The special ceremony took place on Wednesday, May 14th, outdoors in front of the Grades K-5 student body and invited guests. Principal Patrick McLaughlin offered words of welcome, while students from Oinpegitjoig took an active role in ceremonies as they read the Territorial Acknowledgment, made the Tobacco Offering to elders, and read about the meaning of the flag. Elder Connie Sewell lead the opening prayer and Elder Steven Randy Peter-Paul performed the Honour Song. ASD-N Director of First Nations Education and Director of Schools and Oinpegitjoig Chief and Director of Education shared their messages. This was followed by smudging and the blessing of the flag, and then the raising of the flag.
This flag will stand as a reminder that we are all Treaty people.
Anglophone North School District plans to have the Mi’kmaq Grand Council Flag fly at all 29 schools.
