Blackfoot Confederacy flag

By Connor Gunn

City raises permanent Blackfoot Confederacy flag to start Reconciliation Week

Sep 20, 2021 | 1:11 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge has permanently raised its Blackfoot Confederacy flag at City Hall.

The Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy) flag raising signaled the official kick-off to Reconciliation Week within Lethbridge.

With new flagpoles on the city hall grounds, the flag will permanently be up for residents to see, as this initiative is part of the Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Recommendations and Work Plan.

The plan in 2017 added the commitment to address the “94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.”

Mayor Chris Spearman says the flag represents history.

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“Seeing the Siksikaitsitapi flag flying permanently outside City Hall is a visual reminder of the history of the land we’re located on.”

“I hope the visual sparks conversation, questions and encourages our community to engage in meaningful opportunities to learn about Indigenous culture. Recognition of Truth and Reconciliation is essential now more than ever.”

The City will officially observe the “National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Day” on September 30 as Canada’s newest statutory holiday.

Reconciliation Lethbridge Advisory Committee Co-Chair, Treena Tallow, says “seeing the Blackfoot Confederacy flag flying in front of City Hall today is really special.”

“The permanence of having Indigenous representation where the decision-makers of our community hold office shows the commitment to reconciliation by the City and the welcomes conversation by the community.”

More events will be taking place across the city during the month of September to recognize Reconciliation Week.