Within Mountain View School Division, this year for the first time, September 30th will be observed as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools.
Since 2013, September 30th has been acknowledged as Orange Shirt Day across Canada. This movement was created by residential school survivor Phyllis (Jack) Webstad to remember Indigenous children taken from their parents and communities and placed within residential schools. Orange was the color of Ms. Webstad’s shirt on her first day of residential school. It was a shirt that was taken from her and never returned and now symbolizes how Indigenous students lost their cultural identity within Canada’s residential school policy.
As educators, parents, and community members we are encouraged to participate in quiet reflection on September 30th, 2021. It is also meant to expand awareness on Indigenous culture and to discover our roles within reconciliation in Canada.
Resources available could include the following Indigenous and residential school literature:
Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga
They Called Me Number One by Bev Sellars
Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese
Children & Youth Literature:
We Are All Treaty People by Union of Ontario Indians -The Anishinabek Nation
Ispík Kákí Péyakoyak/When We Were Alone by David Robertson
Fatty Legs by Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret-Olemaun Pokiak-Fenton
We Are All Treaty People by Union of Ontario Indians -The Anishinabek Nation
Ispík Kákí Péyakoyak/When We Were Alone by David Robertson
Fatty Legs by Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret-Olemaun Pokiak-Fenton
We acknowledge that the residential school legacy reflects historical and current issues within our society including intergenerational trauma. This awareness creates an opportunity for productive dialogue around reconciliation and allyship with Indigenous communities in Canada. Mountain View School Division recognizes and honours the important collaborative relationships with Indigenous Peoples within our communities.
The residential school crisis line is available 24 hours a day for anyone experiencing distress as a result of a residential school experience. Support is available at 1-866-925-4419.
Meegwetch,
Carole Shankaruk
MVSD Indigenous Education Facilitator