At Ranch Ehrlo, we pride ourselves on our strong commitment to truth and reconciliation efforts – but we know we can do better.
On September 1st we held flag-raising/blessing ceremonies simultaneously at our campuses. A reconciliation flag will continue to fly at each campus, acknowledging our commitment to further action points laid out in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action.
On Pilot Butte campus, a reconciliation flag was raised in front of Schaller Education Centre by a participant after a prayer from Elder Archie Weenie and a few words from CEO Andrea Brittin and board chair Greg Fieger. The event was MCed by Ranch staff Shelley Sayer and Mary Anne LaRocque-Quamar. Following the event, Appleton and Jewison House served bannock and tea. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, only a handful of staff, participants, and board members were on hand.
“We are beginning the journey of consultation to meaningfully acknowledge the land that we are on and the lands of those nations who trust us to care and support their members,” Greg Fieger, Ranch board chair explained.
In the north, the Corman Park and Buckland campuses joined together to have their reconciliation flags blessed by Elder David Larocque at Matheson House in Prince Albert. The northern powwow club was also at the event and performed under the guidance of staff member and powwow instructor Ryanda Thunderchild. Housemother Hally Muirhead treated the youth, staff, and guests to bannock and jam. The flags will be raised later in the month.
The flag-raising ceremony acknowledges the agency’s commitment to reconciliation and the beginning of the work of Ranch Ehrlo’s newly created Reconciliation Action Committee which is made up of staff from across the agency.
“Since the Ranch was created, we have been providing services to many Indigenous children, youth, adults, and families and we have been doing our very best to act in the best interest of all of the people that we serve and now it is time to listen. To really listen to our Indigenous partners, young people, leaders, and community members and we need to learn from them,” said CEO Andrea Brittin.
“It is really important that every single participant that comes to the Ranch is proud of who they are and where they come from. Today is a positive day of hope that marks the start of increased understanding and a day to begin to hear the truth and move to reconciliation,” Andrea added.
