WELLINGTON COUNTY – Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
It is day that honours the children who never returned home and the survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.
According to the Government of Canada, public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
County schools will be recognizing the day in many ways.
Upper Grand District School Board
This year, the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) will commemorate National Truth and Reconciliation Week from Sept. 22 to 26 and on Sept. 30 with a sustained commitment to both learning and action throughout the board, UGDSB spokesperson Heather Loney told the Advertiser.
The Indigenous Education Team will host two screenings for staff of the film Sugercane, an academy award nominated film for Best Documentary, on Sept. 23 (Guelph) and Sept. 25 (Orangeville).
Sugercane investigates the abuse and missing children at St. Joseph’s, a residential school near Williams Lake, B.C., and honours the resilience and resistance of residential school survivors.
On Sept. 30, “the Indigenous Education Team will host Aysanabee, a multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer songwriter from Sandy Lake First Nation, at Island Lake Conservation Area’s Waterfront Amphitheatre,” Loney said.
Students will have the opportunity to listen and learn from an intergenerational survivor, reflect on truth and reconciliation and what they can do to make a better future for everyone in their lifetimes,” she added.
There will also be a more intimate sessions that evening with Aysanabee for Indigenous families, Loney said.
Each year educators are provided with an updated slide-deck of vetted digital and in-school resources organized by division, she noted.
The slide-deck includes livestreams, opportunities for inquiry, exploration, research and action in classrooms and suggestions for ways educators can engage in reconciliation in their classrooms and beyond.
“Each elementary school was provided with the new picture book Miya Wears Orange by Cree author Wanda John-Kehwin to explore truth and reconciliation in an age-appropriate way,” she said.
Staff and students are encouraged to wear orange shirts on Sept. 30 and to purchase shirts from Indigenous creators/businesses.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) will again be offering free virtual Lunch and Learn sessions from Sept. 22 to 26.
“These 50-minute sessions will provide opportunities to learn about the legacy of the residential school system, reflect on the TRC’s Calls to Action 10 years later and about confronting residential school denialism,” Loney said.
Wellington Catholic District Schoool Board
The Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) will also be participating in a variety of learning activities to reflect on the history and legacy of residential schools and to honour survivors, their families and communities, WCDSB spokesperson Bianca Pettinaro told the Advertiser.
“These activities, which begin this week and continue into next week, are part of our recognition of National Truth and Reconciliation Day and Orange Shirt Day,” she said.
Students at St. James will participate in a finger weaving workshop on Sept. 29 led by a Metis community partner. The bracelets will be sold to students the following day to raise funds for Geronimo’s Dream – a fundraiser for a residential school survivor, Geronimo Henry.
His goal is to build a monument in memory of those who, like himself, suffered.
“Bishop Macdonell’s Student Justice Committee is designing buttons for Orange Shirt Day that will be sold to students to raise funds,” Pettinaro said.
“The school will also hold a flag raising ceremony on Sept. 30 as they raise the Orange Shirt Day flag.”
The Holy Rosary Catholic Elementary School currently has a display at the school with information about Truth and Reconciliation Week.
WCDSB central office staff will engage with the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada Giant Floor Map.
“The map is designed to deepen understanding of the past, present and future of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, emphasizing diverse languages, histories and relationships to land rather than colonial boundaries,” Pettinaro said.
To learn more about Truth and Reconciliation Day visit nctr.ca.
