Flags on City of Kelowna properties to return to full-staff

Photo: Colin Dacre

Flag at half-mast

Flags on City of Kelowna properties have been flying at half-mast for 215 hours to honour the remains of 215 children found at the former site of the Kamloops residential school, but starting this evening, they will return to full-staff.

“The number 215 will be forever etched in our collective memory,” said Mayor Colin Basran. “The shameful history of residential schools is well known by now, but the discovery in Kamloops has re-emphasized the importance and need to advance reconciliation with indigenous peoples across Canada.”

Communities across Canada have chosen to signify this long-suspected tragic legacy by counting each hour for each lost innocent life in Kamloops, knowing the discovery of more undocumented burial sites is possible across Canada moving forward.

“At the City of Kelowna, we are seizing this moment to energize our work toward reconciliation and build on the steps we’ve already taken with the guidance of Syilx/Okanagan educators along this path.”

Council has requested a report from staff on progress and next steps in the City’s Reconciliation journey with First Nation friends and neighbours. At the heart of that work is a commitment to the ongoing work to initiate and support respectful relationships.