Supporting reconciliation through education
September 27, 2022—September 30, 2022 is the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a time to recognize and reflect on the impact of the Indian residential school system on Indigenous communities. The day, formerly known as Orange Shirt Day, represents a time to honour the missing children and survivors who attended the schools and also to acknowledge the ongoing impacts on the families of those students.
All schools at Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board are marking this day through activities to build knowledge and shape an understanding of the lasting impact of the Indian Residential School system.
Below are some of the activities taking place in schools from September 26-30, and beyond, in some cases.
Professional learning
School staff participated in professional learning about Truth and Reconciliation on the PA Day, Monday, September 26
Overall awareness at schools
- Flags lowered to half-mast at all sites on Friday, September 30
- Flying the Every Child Matters flag during September and October
- Students writing and making daily announcements about what reconciliation means
- A designated block of time set aside on September 30 dedicated to learning more about Truth and Reconciliation
- Wearing orange shirts on Friday, September 30
- Bulletin boards explaining what a land acknowledgment is and why we do it each day
- Students viewing and discussing the school mural of the Tree of Peace, designed by a student and painted last year
Arts
- Indigenous music playing in the hallways before school
- Whole school Chain of Reconciliation activity, where students create and decorate their own link, with one large chain on display in the yard
- Creating a painting through a guided, pre-recorded, virtual painting session with First Nations artist Moses Lunham
- Whole school Wings of Hope art installation
- A concert is planned for October to bring the student body together to reflect on the messages of residential schools as told through The Secret Path by Gord Downie
Student leadership
- Classroom discussions led by students
- Student leaders sharing and leading the school community of reconciliation
Literacy
- Variety of read-alouds about residential schools, followed by class discussions
- Learning about the meaning of land acknowledgements, then students will create their own
Community involvement
- Participation in a community event at a park to mark the day
- Radio ad on local stations voiced by teacher Matt and student Alice about what National Day for Truth and Reconciliation means to them
Curriculum resources
- Educators will be using age-appropriate curriculum resources curated by Innovation and Inclusion Services
Parents/guardians: For more information, please contact your child’s teacher.
Media contact: Kerry Donnell, Communications and Privacy Manager, 613-966-1170, extension 62354, or 613-847-0696, or [email protected]