In Mississauga, Ontario, Melanie Cormier, an Oji-Cree mother from Bearskin Lake First Nation, found solace in the Every Child Matters flag displayed at local Catholic schools on Truth and Reconciliation Day. Having family members who are residential school survivors, Cormier often shares Indigenous history and culture with students at these schools. She felt welcomed and safe to share her family’s story in this inclusive environment. However, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board revised its flag policy earlier this year, limiting the flags that can be flown at schools to only the Canadian flag, provincial and territorial flags, and the school board flag, thus excluding flags like Every Child Matters.
This change, which also affects flags from nearby Indigenous communities, has left Cormier and others feeling that important symbols of remembrance and inclusivity are being erased. The board’s decision has sparked concerns among students and community members, who see it as a step back in acknowledging the legacy of residential schools and promoting reconciliation.
Despite the disappointment, there is a glimmer of hope for change in the future. Charlene Simone, a member of the Indigenous Education Council and mother of a recent graduate, emphasized the progress made in Indigenous education within the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. She hopes that the flag policy will be revisited to reflect a stronger commitment to reconciliation and foster a more inclusive environment for all students.