COTE FIRST NATION — As the clock struck 11 on Indigenous Remembrance Day, individuals gathered to honour and remember the sacrifices made by those who served at Chief Gabriel Cote Education Complex (CGCEC) and shared a minute of silence.
The event began with an opening prayer and honour song. After this, the various classrooms of CGCEC presented songs in honour of Remembrance Day.
The songs ranged from simple tunes for kindergarten students, such as Poppy Poppy and I am Wearing a Poppy for Grade 1, to more specific and reflective compositions like Why We Wear a Poppy for Grade 4/5 and Lest We Forget Them for Grade 7. The High School level concluded with the notable inclusion of In Flanders Fields.
The event then transitioned into a reading of names, commemorating veterans from The First World War, The Second World War, The Korean War, and peacekeepers.
After the Reading of Veterans, the laying of the wreaths commenced with Chief George Cote and Council, a member of the School Board, the Education Board and Council, and the various classrooms of CGCEC taking part.
The event concluded with a slideshow featuring photos of local veterans. The collaboration between community members to preserve and share the stories of veterans added a personal and community-oriented touch to the remembrance efforts.
.png;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
