The Treaty Six territory flag stands tall next to St. Paul UFO landing pad, following an official flag raising ceremony held on Aug. 23.
Blowing in the wind next to the provincial flag, the ceremony signified communities coming together, according to those in attendance. A host of people came out for the ceremony, which took place after a pipe ceremony, Thursday morning.
Cal Cardinal helped run the pipe ceremony, and spoke to the crowd prior to the raising of the flag.
"This feels good. It feels good in my heart. We've had some struggles, you know, it's been up and down like a roller coaster. But we have to keep moving forward, and I think today is signifying that."
Cardinal thanked people for coming out, and participating in indigenous ceremonies, such as the pipe ceremony.
"I know a lot of times it's a bit scary, and people are a bit unsure. What we do is all connected to nature . . . It's about diversity and enjoying each other's company," he concluded.
Town of St. Paul Mayor Maureen Miller said the purpose of the flag is to acknowledge that the town rests on Treaty Six territory.
"It will create the conversations that will happen around our kitchen tables and our living rooms, as to why would that flag be there? It will create the conversation that we need to start divulging into the truth, as to why we are here," she said.
"This is history for us to make a change, and we will remember this. We are doing it for our children, the generation behind us, that needs to know a different story."
Miller said events like this make her emotional. "This isn't the story I learned," referring to how indigenous people were treated in the past. "To learn (the truth) at this age, as an adult, is heartbreaking. I hope we can make a difference here today."
MLA Dave Hanson was also in attendance.
"We talk about reconciliation, but to me, it's more about building relationships," he said. "We can't save the world, we can't save the whole country, but we can start here in our own community. I think we're well on our way for that."
Saddle Lake Coun. Herb Cardinal helped lift the flag along with the mayor.
