Saugeen Shores council has approved the creation of a Reconciliation crosswalk in Southampton.
The crosswalk design will feature seven feathers to represent the seven sacred teachings and also bear orange colours from the Every Child Matters symbol.
Cobourg, Saint John, N.B. and Orangeville all recently created similar crosswalks.
Councillor John Divinski made the motion, which notes G.C. Huston Public School has a close relationship with residents of neighbouring Saugeen First Nation.
The motion says, “teachers are always looking for ways to honour the lessons of First Nations people,” adding, Saugeen Shores and Saugeen First Nation recently settled a milestone land claim and the communities are striving to provide respectful education for all.
G.C. Huston says it will pay for half the crosswalk at Victoria Street North and Lansdowne in front of the school.
Divinski says he spoke with the principal of of G.C. Huston and some staff members, who expressed support for the crosswalk.
“It will become an incredible teaching tool for the teachers within G.C. Huston school,” Divinski says.
The hope is to complete the crosswalk by September 30th, in time for National Truth and Reconciliation Day. However, there was an understanding shared among councillors Monday night it may be difficult to meet that target.
“I’m hopeful staff will come back with a report in the very near future to advise council about how long this will take,” says Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau.