SUNDRE - In light of the recent report that sent shockwaves through Canada's collective conscience when ground-penetrating radar revealed an unmarked mass grave of more than 200 First Nations children at the grounds of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., the municipality lowered its flags to half mast, said Linda Nelson, Sundre's chief administrative officer.
Coun. Todd Dalke inquired if the municipality had heard from either the federal or provincial protocol offices regarding requests to lower to half mast the provincial and federal flags, as well as B.C.’s flag.
“And finally, are we doing it for one day, or the nine days?” said Dalke.
Nelson said the municipality indeed received direction from the provincial government to lower the flags at half mast.
“We will be doing it for the 215 hours,” she said, referring to the number of children believed to be unceremoniously buried at the site.
Mayor Terry Leslie told his colleagues he also contacted both River Valley and Sundre High schools to indicate the municipality was ready to provide logical assistance for anything the schools were planning.
“Also, the flags are at half mast for schools in our community, and the federal and provincial protocols are being followed,” the mayor said.
