Won't Stand on guard for thee
Saskatoon Star-Phoenix
Saskatoon
Printed 21 Mar 05 in the Edmonton Journal
A silent protest by an aboriginal school board trustee in Saskatoon, who believes the Canadian flag does not represent his heritage and needs not be formally observed during the national anthem, has caused fellow trustees to accuse him of disrespect. The flag has only existed since 1965, but First Nations people have lived on this land for thousands of years, said Vernon Linklater, who is of Anishnabe-Cree heritage and a member of the Thunderchild First Nation. â Å“Playing the anthem is like taking steps backwards when we're two nationsâ â€First Nations people and Caucasian people. That (anthem) is all Caucasian and it has nothing to do with First Nations,â ? said Linklater.
During the playing of the national anthem to start public school board meetings, trustees are expected to turn toward the flag draped near a corner of the board room, arms at their sides. Linklater, a first-term trustee, faces forward, ignoring the flag to his left, his hands in his pockets and posture slouched.
Linklater called it a silent protest. He would like to see an eagle staff, the First Nations equivalent of a national flag, placed inside the boardroom. Linklater added that he displays his national pride every morning when he performs a smudging ceremony.
Trustee Hildred Richardson first raised her concerns in a committee meeting attended by Linklater. At the next board meeting, he put on a â ?vivid display of standing with his feet far apart and hands in his pocket,â ? she said. â Å“If he says it has to do with First Nations heritage, and that is the only nation he respects, I have an issue with that,â ? said Richardson. â Å“All trustees of an elected board are Canadian citizens. You cannot run for office unless you declare that you are a Canadian citizen.â ?
Following the 2003 civic election, the present board chose to start playing the anthem before meetings. Linklater opposed the idea, but was out numbered. Trustee Richard Gryschuk, who made the motion to play the anthem, said it's â Å“to show pride in our country and what we do.â ?
CanWest News Service