It is a first for the Horizon School Division, as well as all school divisions in the province.

Leaders of Indigenous organizations and First Nations gathered at Horizon's Central Office in Humboldt on Wednesday for a ceremony in conjunction with National Aboriginal Day.

"Our school division realizes that education has a part to play around culture and education," noted Superintendent of Learning Services Crandall Hrynkiw on why they decided to incorporate the day.

"We know it is our responsibility. We have a culturally responsive pedagogy that we encourage our schools to use," he continued. "This is something that we realize all students need to be aware of, not just our First Nations students."

The morning began with a pipe ceremony led by Austin Kay and Utin Machiskinic of the Kawacatoose First Nation. 

Kay said that they typically like to start off with a pipe ceremony because prayer is incorporated heavily into their culture.

A reconciliation flag raising ceremony was held, which featured the raising of six flags.

Representatives from the Day Star, Fishing Lake, George Gordon and Muskowekwan First Nations raised flags, which included their own flags, as well as a reconciliation flag.

Director of Education and Horizon Board Chair Jim Hack also raised the division's flag in unison with the others.

Statements were made by each of the leaders, as well as Ed Bitternose, who shared part of his experience as a victim of the residential school experience.

Hrynkiw explained that educating people around Canada's past and how the country can move forward is important.

"When we celebrate Canada's 150th birthday, it is a positive event, but I think we need to look in the mirror and realize that not all of our years have been positive," he said. "We need to look at how we all move forward together as Canadians and honour treaties and recognize that we are all treaty people."

Closing out the day was an honour song, as well as performances and dances - one of which was performed by Humboldt's Melanie Gray, whose homeland is the Rama First Nation in Ontario.

Hrynkiw added that Horizon will be looking to make the ceremony a permanent event in coming years.