Indigenous Day at Carlton Comprehensive High School. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

A Celebration

P.A.’s Carlton High School celebrates annual Indigenous Day

Oct 4, 2023 | 2:00 PM

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation may have passed but it isn’t stopping Prince Albert’s Carlton Comprehensive High School from celebrating Indigenous Culture.

The school is holding its annual Indigenous Day on Wednesday with hundreds of students filling the gym to view the opening ceremony.

Around 60 per cent of the students at Carlton identify as Indigenous.

Carlton Principal Jennifer Ferguson told paNOW this day is an opportunity to celebrate each and every one of them, but also to encourage their non-Indigenous students to take an interest.

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“I think the day serves the same purpose for all of our students and that is to learn in a deep way about diversity and the gifts that Indigenous people have given to us. I think that celebration is really critical for us to learn to appreciate each other.”

Taking part in the festivities were the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC), the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, the City of Prince Albert, Prince Albert Police Service, and the Prince Albert Raiders.

Members of the Prince Albert Raiders taking part in the opening ceremony for Carlton’s Indigenous Day. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

Raiders captain Eric Johnston said the team thought it would be a good idea to show their support.

“I think it’s a big part of our organization being out in the community, we try to be in touch with our community as much as we can.”

The opening ceremony also included a tribute to the late Victor Thunderchild. The former teacher helped make Indigenous Day an annual tradition at Carlton.

Arguably, the biggest applause given during the ceremony was for Thunderchild which didn’t surprise Darlene Rowden, the Board Chair for the Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division.

“We’re proud of all our staff and Victor was a big part of the staff here at Carlton,” she said.

Rowden added the organizing ceremony has done a great job over the years of keeping Thunderchild’s vision a reality.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow