Back to SearchThe Métis flag has reserved permanent residency outside Kenora City Hall as a symbol of the City’s ongoing commitment to Indigenous reconciliation.
A flag raising ceremony took place on Friday, October 14th with a ceremonial event recognizing the significance of the Métis people in our community and the partnerships with Métis people.
The event welcomed several Métis leaders and dignitaries including Kenora Métis Council Senator Karen Cederwall, Kenora Métis Council President, Liz Boucha, and Regional Councillor of the Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario Theresa Stenlund. The crowd was inspired and humbled by youth member Hayden Stenlund and his encouraging words for the Métis youth of Kenora. Jason Lepine, Champion Métis fiddler brought upbeat fiddle music to the event.
"I have to say I'll always contemplate our flag at City Hall and admire its tangible symbol of our people's identity, tenacity, strength, courage and wisdom. I am touched, thrilled, and excited about having our Métis flag raised at City Hall for the whole City to see and for our youth to glance at a realize that the City has acknowledged them. It has a profound effect knowing that our Métis youth have a bright future, have a voice and are heard, in the City of Kenora" states youth Hayden Stenlund.
"The Métis flag is a symbol of our Métis identity and flying the flag demonstrates Métis pride. The Kenora municipal flag raising demonstrates respect to our Métis citizens as it acknowledges we were here and are here. Marsee to the City of Kenora staff and leadership for working with the Métis over the last while to have our Métis flag permanently fly at Kenora City Hall for not only the Métis, but for all residents. This is a step towards reconciliation" states Theresa Stenlund, Regional Councillor for the Northwestern Ontario Métis Community.
Councillor Sharon Smith, who is of Métis heritage, states: “It is a civic honour to be part of the Council that brought this historic moment of raising the Métis flag at City Hall. The raising of the Métis flag signifies our commitment to reconciliation, solidarity and respect. It recognizes the culture and heritage of the Métis community. Just as the Métis flag symbolizes the creation of the Métis nation, the flying of this Flag at City Hall celebrates our relationship with the Métis Nation. This flag symbolizes and recognizes the Métis people for all they have and will continue to contribute to this City.”
The City’s Chief Administrative Officer Kyle Attanasio affirmed “the flying of the Métis flag is a reminder that the City of Kenora sits on traditional Indigenous land. It also symbolizes the relationships that we have built over the years, the progress made, and the contributions of the Métis peoples to our community. Going forward, the flag will serve as a visual reminder of our shared responsibility, as treaty partners, to engage one another honestly and respectfully as we continue our shared journey towards reconciliation.”
A fourth flag pole will be installed at City Hall in the coming months which will proudly display our Treaty 3 flag, Métis flag and the flags of our City, Province and Country. We are thankful for our relationships with Indigenous and Métis people and the partnerships we will continue to advance.
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