Mountain View School Division will be acknowledging and honouring September 30th as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools. As September 30th falls on a Saturday, schools may be hosting events and activities on Friday, September 29th.
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, 2023. 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 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. We are on a learning journey titled, “Umbay Nagamon – Come Sing” which facilitates a safe and welcoming place to learn more about moving forward with Truth & Reconciliation. Our community workshops will be coming to the communities of Roblin and Grandview. Further communication will be shared shortly. Please join us for these amazing learning sessions. For more information about the workshops, please contact Anita Gingera, Secretary for Programs and Planning at 204-638-3001 or via email at [email protected].
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.
Respectfully,
Carole Shankaruk
Coordinator of Indigenous Education