When the Remembrance Day service at Howe Sound Secondary School (HSSS) commenced on Thursday (Nov. 10), a new addition to the service was meant to shed light on the role the 撸奶社区Nation played in the First World, Second World and Korean wars. Grade 11 student Danzel Baker led the way by proudly carrying the 撸奶社区Nation flag to the ceremony. Principal Christine Perkins said it's simply one way for the school to acknowledge First Nations' involvement in the wars.
"And we have put a 撸奶社区Nation flag up in our multi-purpose room," said Perkins in an interview with The Chief on Friday (Nov. 4), adding that a significant number of 撸奶社区Nation members participated in WWI and other wars.
"We definitely want our students to become much more aware of our 撸奶社区Nation members' involvement in our history, and our joint history," Perkins said.
Perkins was attending an event at Totem Hall last spring when she began chatting with Joy Joseph-McCullough from the 撸奶社区Nation Education Department, who pointed out a series of posters showcasing 撸奶社区Nation members who participated and sacrificed during the wars. Perkins said talking to Joseph-McCullough sparked her interest in bringing them to the school for Remembrance Day.
"I turned around and saw these beautiful posters on the wall at Totem Hall and thought, 'What a great opportunity for our students,'" recalled Perkins. The historical, mountedposters highlight the lives of KWETSI-WIT NA NAM XEYX (Those who went to war).
"So I believe 撸奶社区Nation is trying to get another set of those posters so that Howe Sound can have them," Perkins said, adding that she hoped to have them on display in time for this year's ceremony, but if not, they will definitely be up for next year.
When asked whether she was looking forward to making it an ongoing tradition at HSSS, Perkins replied, "Absolutely."
Joseph-McCullough said she is very supportive of HSSS officials' interest in using the 撸奶社区Nation flag in its Remembrance Day ceremony. "They are using the 撸奶社区Nation flag to recognize the territory they are in," she said.
"I'm very pleased that they've opened the door to us to share," Joseph-McCullough said, adding that she hopes to develop a travelling photo exhibit to be on display in schools not only in Squamish, but also including Whistler and Pemberton schools.
More than 7,000 First Nations people fought in the three wars. According to the Veterans Affairs office, their traditional hunting skills often landed them a spot on the Canadian Expeditionary Force as reconnaissance scouts or snipers. During World War II, 400 First Nations men served as "code talkers," relaying battlefield messages in Athapaskan tongue, a language that Japanese intelligence was unable to decipher.
A cenotaph was unveiled in 2007 near Totem Hall to recognize the sacrifices made by First Nation soldiers in the wars.
撸奶社区Nation cultural ambassador Diana Billy expressed her feelings on the project and on Remembrance Day.
"What's important to me is the gathering of our communities to celebrate the past and present war veterans who gave us the freedom to live in this world we live in today," she said.
"So with the drums we bring everything together by showing respect to them by singing traditional songs while we do the cenotaph ceremonies," she said. "And we celebrate with a feast, as that is what our people do - celebrate with food to nourish everyone physically and spiritually, along with the heartbeat of the drum that brings everyone together. And it is great for the whole family to come together to show respect with the hand drums, and singing together for the veterans."
