Every Child Matters
In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Every Child MattersTM flag, designed by Ktunaxa artist Carol Louie, will be raised at the Castlegar Campus. You are invited to join us, and we encourage you to wear an orange shirt.
After the flag is raised, please join us for refreshments and opportunities to connect and reflect.
The Flag
This flag speaks the truth to atrocities that occurred to First Nations, Inuit and Métis children for over a hundred years in places that were once called Indian Residential Schools.
Ktunaxa artist Carol Louie provided the art for the feather and ideas for the design. Robert Louie (Ktunaxa) and Denice Louie (Athabascan) completed the design work in collaboration with their summer youth worker, Gabe Kobasiuk (Cree). Robert Louie was a residential school survivor who passed away in 2022. Most of his siblings also went to residential school.
Carol Louie's Artist Statement
The heart with the broken lines was used to show how the residential school affected our people, our connections, our teachings. Though fractured, the hearts of our people continue and remain strong. And in all of our hearts, at the centre of our communities are the little ones, our future—represented by the child’s hand. The eagle feather honours and recognizes all the children who were forced into residential school.
The flag will also be displayed at campuses and learning centres throughout the region.
This content relates to residential schools and other sensitive subject matter you may find traumatic. We encourage you to care for your mental and emotional health and well-being. If you need support, please reach out to the National Residential School Crisis line at 1-866-925-4419 or to Counselling Services.