Orange Shirt Day

In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, students and staff across qathet School District have been engaging in meaningful and age appropriate conversations throughout the week, learning about the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, the impacts of colonialism, and the significance of Truth and Reconciliation.

Today, all staff and students were invited to wear orange for Orange Shirt Day, to recognize the experience of those who went to Indian Residential Schools, to honour them, and show a commitment to ensure that Every Child Matters. Brooks Secondary and all the elementary schools within our district held school-wide assemblies, with many also facilitating reflection circles. Schools recognized the day in many ways:

• Westview Elementary held two assemblies the day before Orange Shirt Day to focus on learning, and today, they applied that learning through a day of reflection.
• In addition to a circle gathering and singing Indigenous songs, James Thomson students spent the week colouring handprints, which they placed in the windows this morning to symbolize the number of children who attended residential schools.
• Henderson Elementary gathered in a circle this morning to drum and sing the Salish anthem and the Children’s Blessing Song together.
• Kelly Creek Community School students also shared a moment of reflection and listened to čɛpθ (Aunty) Sean explain why we must learn the truth before we can reconcile.
• Edgehill Elementary students honoured the Tla’amin land by taking a walk together through the forested area located just behind the school right after their circle of reflection, drumming, and singing.
• Partners In Education hosted both virtual and in-person assemblies for their students and invited others from across the district to join.
• Texada Elementary students got the opportunity to experience a storytelling session with Phyllis Webstad, author and activist from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, and the creator of Orange Shirt Day.

Thank you to our schools, staff, and students for taking the time to reflect and learn today. 

Watch a video of a few moments captured from today here.

Additional educational resources 

1. https://nctr.ca/ - National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation
2. https://projectofheart.ca/ - Project of Heart is a collaborative art based education project designed to teach about the history of Indigenous people in Canada. The initiative aims to foster reconciliation, commemorate those students who died as a result of residential schools, and encourage social justice among Canadians.
3. https://www.tlaaminnation.com/home-page/community/ - Learn about the Tla’amin Nation community.
4. https://reconciliationcanada.ca/ - Reconciliation Canada is a movement that is leading the way in engaging Canadians in dialogue and transformative experiences that revitalize the relationships among Indigenous peoples and all Canadians.
5. https://irshdc.ubc.ca/learn/orange-shirt-day-resources/ - A comprehensive list of Orange Shirt Day resources and learning materials for all ages. 
6. https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/home/ - An information resource on key topics relating to the histories, politics, and cultures of the Indigenous peoples of Canada.
7. https://native-land.ca/ - Native Land Digital strives to create and foster conversations about the history of colonialism, Indigenous ways of knowing, and settler-Indigenous relations, through educational resources such as their map and Territory Acknowledgement Guide.
8. https://www.ualberta.ca/en/admissions-programs/online-courses/indigenous-canada/index.html - A course that explores complex experiences Indigenous peoples face today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations.