National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
September 30th, 2024 marks the fourth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Created as a response to Truth and Reconiliation Call to Action 80, this day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities.
Backgound
The creation of this federal statutory holiday was through legislative amendments made by Parliament. On June 3, 2021, Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) received Royal Assent. The date was chosen because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools. Since 2013 this date has been known as Orange Shirt Day – an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived Indian Residential Schools and remembers those who did not.
This day relates to the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, on her first day of school, where she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her. It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
Please click on the box below for additional background and resource information:
Action
On September 30, all Canadians are encouraged to wear orange to raise awareness of the very tragic legacy of residential schools, and to honour the thousands of Survivors.
Catholic school boards across Ontario are recognizing this day and deepening local understanding on this topic through various initiatives througout this week and this year – see highlights of activities below as shared by CDSBs:
The ALCDSB acknowledges this date to bring about structural change, not to simply participate in a one-day event. It is not just only one day for reflecting on the thousands of Indigenous children kidnapped from their parents and taken to Indian Residential Schools across this nation. On this day we remember their families and Residential School Survivors and create space and time to continue to build relationships, have conversations and take action by continuing to do the work.
Every educator across the ALCDSB has a responsibility to encourage school-based actionable change towards Truth and Reconciliation, and to understand and teach the True History of this country.
Throughout the school year, KCDSB students engage in various cultural activities to prepare for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. From Pow Wows and traditional feasts to Northern Studies programs, students have the opportunity to connect with and learn about Indigenous histories and cultures. These experiences foster a deeper understanding of First Nations and Métis communities, building respect and empathy. By participating in these events and educational opportunities, students not only prepare for the significance of September 30 but also engage in ongoing learning and reflection on reconciliation throughout the entire school year.
NPSC elementary schools also have a variety of activities planned for the day. These activities all help to make Truth & Reconciliation a reality in our schools so that we can continue to walk forward together.
Please see below for a few more resources:
- Prayer for Truth and Reconciliation
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada – Teaching Resources
- Residential Schools Podcast Series
- YouTube – Video links
- I Am Not A Number – Jenny Kay Dupuis
- https://www.orangeshirtday.org/
Niagara Catholic is currently flying the Every Child Matters flag with the provincial and national flags at half-mast for Truth and Reconciliation Week.
The Niagara CDSB hosted a flag raising ceremony that was led by the board’s Indigenous Lead yesterday at the Catholic Education Centre. During Truth and Reconciliation Week several members of the board’s leadership team and many students in the community will take part in a Truth and Reconciliation Walk in Fort Erie.
A link to the flag raising is here:
https://www.niagaracatholic.ca/news/what_s_new/national_day_for_truth_and_reconciliation
From September 23 to September 27, OCSB students participated in school-based and community-organized learning experiences to prepare for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On September 30, they will join the Nation to observe the day from an informed perspective. This significant occasion is dedicated to commemorating the Indigenous children who suffered in residential schools and reflecting on our collective journey toward reconciliation.
St. Clair Catholic District School Board Vision for Indigenous Education:
- To build cultural competency and develop an understanding of First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures, histories and perspectives in all St. Clair Catholic District School Board classrooms as we work towards improving student achievement and well-being among First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students.
- To build reciprocal relationships with the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities based on trust, mutual respect, and sharing that will support and nurture the growing success of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students and all students as we serve as partners in the learning environments across St. Clair Catholic District School Board.
| Gr 1-12 and staff | Truth and Reconciliation Week https://trw-svr.nctr.ca/ Taking Truth to Action September 23-27, 2024. This week-long educational program is free and open to all schools across Canada that supports free, age-appropriate, education curriculums for students in grades 1–12. Learn directly from Residential School Survivors, Indigenous artists and athletes. Available in English and French.Learning topics will include the truths, history, and impacts of the Residential School System and what learners and educators can do to take action toward reconciliation. Click here to review the Virtual Sessions | Join us for an immersive experience to UN-learn the myths of colonial history in Canada. Register here today |
| Gr 6-12 | Truth and Reconciliation Virtual School Tour of the ‘Mohawk Residential School’ September 30th, 2024Register & join us on Truth and Reconciliation Day/Orange Shirt Day on September 30, 2024, at 9:15 for a 45-minute tour of the former Mohawk Institute Residential School. The tour gives the history of the school from when it opened in 1831, until it closed in 1970. Participants will see different rooms in the school, from the meeting room, the girls’ and boys’ dorms, the third floor, cafeteria, and various rooms in the basement. After the presentation participants will have the opportunity to ask questions or share comments with the Cultural Interpreter in a live follow- minute session.By registering on the following form, further details and a link to participate on September 30th will be provided. Register Here | Register by September 16 |
| Grades 7-12 | Niigaan Sinclair: “How Does Orange Shirt Day Help Me?: Reconciliation and Your Future” Two great sessions on Orange Shirt Day – Monday, September 30
Session 1 will be hosted at Cardinal Carter Academy of the Arts. Niigaan will present to students at Cardinal Carter Academy of the Arts and available for other schools to participate online 9:40am -10:35am. Online link will be provided when signed up on the Registration Form.
Session 2 will be a live online session from 6pm to 7pm and available for all parents/staff to better understand Orange Shirt Day, Truth and Reconciliation, and the importance of teaching Indigenous history to students. Online link will be provided when signed up on the Registration Form. | Register by September 25, 2024
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“Wellington Catholic DSB students carefully weaved orange and white yarn in their school library, making bracelets and bookmarks to raise money to honour Indigenous children who attended residential schools… (media coverage)
Students at the Windsor-Essex CDSB took part in a project called Bezhig Miigwan, or “One Feather,” the results of which are currently on display at Art Windsor-Essex.
Inspired by that project Sienna Rochon, a Gr 12 student at St. Anne Catholic High School designed a logo which was printed on a sticker that will be worn by elementary teachers today to honor National Day For Truth And Reconciliation.
Along with Fawne Lomascolo, Windsor-Essex CDSB Success Coach for Indigenous Students, Sienna appeared today on CBC Windsor Morning with Amy Dodge.
Full interview visit: https://youtu.be/CLskkQ_Q9E4
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