Dauphin City Hall has some improved curb appeal thanks to the installation of new flag poles which, for the first time, allows the city to fly the flags of the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Treaty 2 Territory Government.

The flags were raised at a special ceremony last week which, Dauphin mayor Christian Laughland said, is an example of the municipality’s desire to operate in partnership with Indigenous governments in the area.

Referring to a proclamation passed by city council at its regular meeting, Sept. 26, Laughland said, “the City of Dauphin and its employees will be observing the national date of Truth and Reconciliation previously known as the orange shirt day to provide time to reflect on the legacy of residential school system and its impact on Indigenous communities and will be flying its flags at half mast.”

For Francis Chartrand of the Northwest Métis Council, the flying of the MMF flag is a continuation of the support city council has shown as her organization increases its footprint in the community.

It speaks to the co-operation between communities and shows a willingness to work together.

“Thank you very much for everything you did for the last four years and we hope to see you around the table in the future,” Chartrand said, drawing attention to the support shown by former mayors Eric Irwin and Allen Dowhan. “I want to do a shout out to them and thank them for everything we did together.”

Representing the Government of Treaty 2 Territory, Scott Lynxleg said flying the flags is an indication of how the relationship between the City and Indigenous groups has improved in the 17 years he has lived in the community.

And he believes it will continue to improve in the future.

“If you have respect for yourself and for others. We are all the same,” Lynxleg said.