For the first time in 73 years the Lheidli T'enneh Nation hosted a Balhats (potlatch) on Friday that celebrated the partnership between School District 57 and the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation at Uda Dune Baiyoh, House of Ancestors located on Third Ave.
The two groups have developed a local education agreement and support the Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee. The partnership was first announced in May.
"We believe this is a first in Canada," Clay Pountney, Lheidli T'enneh chief, said about the partnership.
"One of our key priorities as Lheidli T'enneh is to ensure that our students and those of other Indigenous nations and communities are supported at every level to achieve educational success. SD 57 has welcomed our commitment to work with their team to ensure we achieve this objective. To know the Lheidli T'enneh flag and a plaque celebrating this unique partnership will be displayed in every public school in our territory is truly reconciliation in action."
Rod Allen, interim SD 57 superintendent, said during the Balhats that the number of Indigenous students who graduate needs to increase and with the collaboration between the Lheidli T'enneh and the school district, he knows that will be achieved.
Historically Balhats, like the All Clans Learning Balhats held Friday, was the process used to conduct business within the Indigenous nations and communities until Canada deemed hosting a Balhats as unlawful.
Pountney said he believed the last one held in Lheidli T'enneh territory was in 1946.
"Today is the day that the Lheidli T'enneh Nation regained the Balhats, regained our history and turned the corner toward a vibrant, sustainable future," Pountney said.
