Arjun Pillai
Daily Herald
On a blustery Monday afternoon, the Rotary Club of Prince Albert officially unveiled the city’s first Peace Pole at Little Red River Park, a symbolic gesture meant to spark reflection, healing, and unity across the community.
Bearing the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in multiple languages, the pole is part of a global Rotary initiative and will be followed by others throughout the city in the months to come.
A monument with meaning
Lisa Bos-Atchison, president of the Rotary Club, said the pole is more than just a monument, It’s a message.
“This is a physical reminder that we’re striving to build a more harmonious future where everyone feels welcomed and respected,” she said during her closing remarks. “It’s not just about planting a pole. It’s about planting seeds of hope.”
She noted the park’s focus on play, learning, and connection as the ideal backdrop for the first installation, tying it to Rotary’s broader goals around peacebuilding, reconciliation, and youth engagement.
Building bridges through land and language
The pole includes both indigenous and global languages chosen through census data and community consultation. Bos-Atchison described the inclusion of local languages as a reflection of Prince Albert’s diversity and a commitment to shared understanding.
Languages featured on the pole include English, Italian, Dakota, Arabic, Italian, Polish, and Japanese. While these reflect many voices in Prince Albert, other languages will be considered for inclusion in future installations.
“We’re trying to bring more peace into our world,” Bos-Atchison said. “What better place to start than with students? Our commitment doesn’t stop at the global level. It resonates here, in our own neighbourhoods and in our own hearts.”
A city standing together
Tim Yeaman the city’s manager of parks and open spaces, called the event a “great testament” to what’s possible through collaboration.
“Projects like this aren’t just about a physical installation,” Yeaman said. “They help us pass on the importance of peace, diversity, and cultural respect to the next generation.”
Police Chief Patrick Nogier also spoke at the event, calling on youth and community members alike to be part of the work ahead.
“We’re all supposed to keep our community safe, right? But can’t do it alone.” he said. “When we see a Peace Pole going up, it tells us we’re not standing for anything but peace.”
Learning Peace from a young age
Among those attending were students from St. Michael Community School. Principal Mark Fenuik said the event was a natural fit with the school’s values and teachings.
“We talk about peace as something that’s not just the absence of violence, but a real option in our world,” he said. “We want our students to see themselves as part of something bigger, and this helps them connect to that.”
A voice from the land
Though the wind cut Wahpeton Dakota Nation Elder Cy Standing’s message short, his words carried weight: “This is our old land. I remember because of our history.” Standing spoke of the area’s deep significance and the presence of ancestral gravesites throughout the region.
Looking ahead
The Peace Pole is part of the Rotary Club’s Centennial Project, and additional poles are planned for other community spaces like the Rotary Trail.
“This isn’t the end,” Bos-Atchison said, “It’s a promise, that we’ll keep working to build a world where peace prevails, where reconciliation is real, and where everyone belongs.”
