Truth and Reconciliation
Reaffirmation of Our Commitment to Indigenous Partners
Earlier this year, the confirmation of 751 unmarked graves at the site of the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan, and other unmarked grave discoveries at residential school sites across Canada, increased attention to the legacy and traumatic impact of residential schools on Indigenous communities. Following the uncovering of these unmarked graves, our Board reaffirmed our commitment to Indigenous partners and reconciliation.
We value our partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations and are committed to continuing to build and strengthen these partnerships across our school communities. Our partnership with the Sault Ste. Marie Indian Friendship Centre in the Kina Awiiya Secondary Program is an example of what can be done when we work together. As we planned for re-opening in September, we did so with reaffirmed conviction to work with Indigenous partners to ensure that all students learn about Indigenous perspectives within the curriculum, including the history and impact of residential schools. We will also be strengthening existing support for Indigenous languages and cultural activities within our schools.
We will continue to collaborate with the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association, supporting truth and reconciliation actions within our local communities. In addition, our board will further engage the voices of First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth in the ADSB Northern Indigenous Youth Council (NIYC) to further understand and enhance their lived experiences within our schools. Only by working together with Indigenous students, families, communities and partners, can we fully understand our history and our present, and build a positive future for everyone.
“Education has gotten us into this mess, and education will get us out.” Honourable Senator Murray Sinclair,
Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Over the last several years, September 30 has been recognized as Orange Shirt Day, and the Government of Canada has now designated September 30 as the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Similar to Orange Shirt Day, this is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of residential schools and the legacy they have left behind. It is also an opportunity for Canadians to create meaningful dialogue and participate in building bridges with each other for reconciliation. This may present itself as a day of quiet reflection and/or a day of learning and sharing.
While residential schools and truth and reconciliation are integrated into the curriculum throughout the year, our schools participated in learning activities on September 30 to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Across the board, flags flew at half-mast and there was a moment of silence in honour of the children who did not return from residential schools. A virtual presentation with residential school survivor Dolly Syrette was also made available to classes.
Students and staff were encouraged to wear orange on September 30. “Every Child Matters” orange bracelets were made available by donation with all proceeds going to the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association.
Orange Ribbons Provide Visual Reminder of Lives Lost
Just ahead of Orange Shirt Day, over 220 students from JK through to Grade 8 at Mountain View Public School participated in an Orange Ribbon Project. Students took time to tie over 6,000 small orange ribbons on the fence along Highway 17 and Mahler Road to represent the over 6,500 children who were lost in the residential school system. The thousands of ribbons being displayed are meant to be a visual representation to help students and others understand the magnitude of this number and to act as a visual reminder of the lives lost.
This display will remain year-round and the school will continue to update the number of ribbons as necessary. Staff took time to speak with each class, in age-appropriate ways, about the importance of recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and to ensure that the history of the residential schools is not forgotten.
Students in Mrs. Lepore’s Grade 6/7 class at Mountain View Public School tie orange ribbons as a way to honour the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. In total the school’s students tied over 6,000 ribbons as a visual reminder of the lives lost at residential schools.
ADSB’s “Connect” Newsletter
The September 2021 edition of ADSB’s Wellness newsletter “Connect” was dedicated to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and provides excellent resources for educators, parents/guardians and students of all ages to become engaged and involved in conversations around truth and reconciliation.
It can be accessed by following this link.