As she looked upward at the flag she raised to the skies, Marnie Gregoire had tears streaming down her face.
The Okanagan College faculty member, who works in the college's Indigenous Garden, sought comfort in the hug of colleague Cassidy Acheson as the Okanagan Indian Band flag 鈥� which reads' Sukaq墨nx, the Syilx word for Okanagan, on the banner 鈥� flew mightily in the blowing wind.
"There's a lot of emotions because this place is very special to me," said Gregoire. "Just being by the lake (Kalamalka), my great-great grandfather's name was Kn'malka, and it just means a lot to me to be at the college, close to lake, and because of my great-great grandfather's name. Those are close to my heart. There are a lot of other reasons, too. It's part of my family."
Gregoire helped raise the flag into its permanent home at the Vernon campus flagpole under the watchful eye of OKIB councillor Allan Louis at the end of a historic and meaningful ceremony at Okanagan College Thursday, Sept. 21.
Members of the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB), students, staff, and local community members came together to raise the flag, which included a prayer from elder Virginia Gregoire.
鈥淎s the seasons shift, we are reminded of the deep connection to the land and the significance of this change for our communities,鈥� said Louis. 鈥淭oday, we raise our flag on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people, acknowledging our history and moving forward with education and partnership.鈥�
The event comes just days ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on Monday, Sept. 30, a time dedicated to honouring the survivors of residential schools and those who did not return. Reflecting on this, Okanagan College president Dr. Neil Fassina spoke about the importance of education as a tool for reconciliation.
鈥淩aising the Okanagan Indian Band flag here at the Vernon campus is a visible reminder of our responsibility to recognize the truth of our shared history and work towards a future of respect and healing,鈥� said Fassina. 鈥淎s we move toward National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, this flag stands as a testament to our continued journey together.鈥�
The wind-swept morning at Okanagan College served a dual purpose.
Besides the flag-raising, the official name-giving ceremony for the newly constructed student housing building on the Vernon campus, which will serve as a welcoming space for learners from across the region, was celebrated.
The building was named ect虛a蕯t虛ix史蓹x史lm i蕯 t虛ik虛史t l a蕯 nk虛蓹k虛maplqs, a Syilx term meaning 'Changing Colours of Kalamalka Lake.'
It came after thoughtful consultation with local Syilx Okanagan Nation Elders, members, and educators,
The name was translated by Virginia Gregoire and Pauline Archachan, transcribed by Ashley Gregoire, and reviewed and verified by UBCO professors Dr. Jeanette Armstrong and Dr. John Lyon. Dr. Armstrong is an OC alumnus and both her and Dr. Lyon are educators teaching Nsyilxcn language.
Rhea Dupuis, Director of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation at Okanagan College, reflected on the importance of ceremonies like this in advancing the college鈥檚 relationship with Indigenous communities.
鈥淭his ceremony is a powerful reminder of our ongoing responsibility to Truth and Reconciliation,鈥� said Dupuis. 鈥淏y raising the Okanagan Indian Band flag and naming this student housing building with the Syilx name, ect虂at虂铆x史蓹x史lm 茮虛蕯 t虂ik虂史t l a蕯 nk虂蓹k虂maplqs, we are taking meaningful steps toward healing and strengthening our connection to the Indigenous peoples whose lands we are on."
On the name chosen for the housing building, Dupuis said: 鈥淥ur ancestors remind us to honour the land, the seasons, and the work we do together. This building is more than a structure 鈥� it鈥檚 a place where students will find a home away from home, where they will grow, learn, and contribute to the future of our communities.鈥�
The ceremonies closed with drumming and the raising of the OKIB flag, reinforcing the shared hope for continued learning, growth, and partnership.
