This Canada Day I’m thinking of our flag.

Elders Kathleen and Henry Holloway with the flag they have reverently protected in their family for 143 years.

One of the important flags in the history of our country – and certainly along this river where we drink from the same waters – is the flag that was flown at the signing of Treaty 7 at Blackfoot Crossing in 1877.

I first saw this historic flag last September at Morley. The families of Stoney Nakoda Elders Kathleen and Henry Holloway have cared for this flag for 143 years.

They flew this historic flag for a prayer service to honour Treaty 7, the first time it has been flown for 60 years. I so admire how this family, tasked with caring for the flag, has treated it with reverence for so long. It has deep meaning. I want to honour them by sharing their knowledge.

Ten years ago at Morley I heard from Elder Kathleen's uncle Bill McLean (Walking Buffalo’s son) that these treaties are “peace and friendship” treaties. Last September at Maskwacis I heard the same words, "peace and friendship", used by Chief Wilton Littlechild. And recently I called Chief Littlechild to confirm my understanding. He shared with me a teaching an Elder had shared with him, that these treaties have four elements: (a) the written document; (b) the oral history retained by families in First Nation communities; (c) the ceremonial side; and (d) the spiritual element. How fitting, then, that this 1877 Treaty Flag continues to be used as an emblem of ceremony and prayer. As patriotic citizens this Canada Day, how do we honour this flag? How do we all, as treaty people, honour the sacred nature of these treaties? When I listen to these oral stories, I begin to understand our strong relationships, across cultures, from the past to the present. This is a good time to listen.