By Christian Oldale

City of Lethbridge provides funds and materials for Oki signs at schools

Sep 28, 2023 | 3:38 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Students in Lethbridge will soon see an ‘Oki’ sign at their schools.

That is thanks to a partnership between the Lethbridge School Division, Holy Spirit Catholic School Division and the City of Lethbridge.

The City’s Indigenous Relations Office has funded and provided materials for each school in the two divisions to create an ‘Oki’ sign in their existing fencing. The project comes from the Indigenous Place Making Strategy (IPS), which was approved by City Council in 2021.

The IPS seeks to “address gaps in meaningful engagement, and invest in public spaces to reflect Siksikaitsitapi Kitao’ahsinnooni, or Blackfoot Confederacy Territory.”

This work also aims to address racism, discrimination and Truth and Reconciliation in the community in a more broad approach.

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Charlene Bruised Head-Mountain Horse, Indigenous Relations Advisor for the City of Lethbridge said, “Meaningful connection is seen as a pathway to Reconciliation, but also ensures Indigenous peoples feel respected, reflected and connected to the places they call home.”

The materials for the signs were distributed to each school division at the beginning of the school year. Each school has been given the choice to involve students in the placement and installation of the signs, and use it as a way to speak about reconciliation.

The City of Lethbridge adopted Oki as the official greeting in 2019 to promote greater use and respect for the Blackfoot language in the city.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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