(Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Veterans Honoured

P.A. parks being named after three Indigenous veterans

Nov 10, 2021 | 5:47 PM

Three parks in Prince Albert will soon be named after Indigenous veterans.

According to Mayor Greg Dionne, P.A.’s city council was getting sick and tired of honouring veterans only after they passed away. So they decided to work with the PAGC to recognize the sacrifices made by three individuals – Steven Ross, Emile Highway, and Norman Henderson.

Ross, the Grand Chief of the Saskatchewan First Nation Veterans Association (SFNVA), told reporters he was simply shocked by the announcement.

“I really don’t know how it’s going to affect me, it’s something I have to live with but it’s an honour,” Ross said.

Ross and Highway, the president of the Prince Albert branch of the SFNVA, each received a banner on Wednesday as part of a ceremony honouring Indigenous veterans. Henderson, a Montreal Lake Cree Nation elder, was unable to attend so his family accepted the banner on his behalf.

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Highway told paNOW he’s looking forward to visiting the park with at least one special person.

“I would like to take my granddaughter over there and show it to her, I think that will be great.”

He also believes this is a step towards proper reconciliation.

“This is a good example of getting things going and acknowledging the significant contributions that Aboriginal soldiers made to the progress of this country.”

Highway’s park will be east of Mair Park, while Henderson’s will be west. Ross’ will be in the east end next to Elks River Park.

Dionne noted the city will be installing huge signs at the entrances of the three parks which will include their names and a poppy.

“They’ll be ready for the spring to roll out,” Dionne said.

Three separate ceremonies will be held next summer to officially recognize their new names.

Meanwhile, work is underway to name eight other parks with one more being named after another Indigenous veteran.

Councillor Don Cody will also have a park named after him with Dionne jokingly apologizing to Ross as their parks will be next to each other.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow