Division 7 has been talking about Orange Shirt Day and, more broadly, the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. Truth and reconciliation is an ongoing process that requires reflection and action. In an interview, Phyllis Webstad, the person whose experience inspired Orange Shirt Day, noted that there will come a time when the people who lived through the experience of residential school will be gone, and we are dependent on our youth to carry forward the knowledge of Canada’s history.
Many students already have some background knowledge about residential schools and are continuing to learn challenging truths of Canada’s past. Reconciliation starts with a willingness to listen and learn in order to restore positive relationships for affected communities.
The Honorable Justice Murray Sinclair, chief commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, said that “education is what got us into this mess, and education is what will get us out of it.” On Wednesday September 30, I hope you can take some time to learn and reflect.
Here a couple videos to support talking about Orange Shirt Day:
Below are some links to support you in your truth and reconciliation journey:
- Orange Shirt Day – the story behind why we wear orange
- Truth and Reconciliation Day Events
- Acts of Reconciliation for Families – a list of ideas and links to explore actions that support reconciliation
- Native Land – learn about whose land you live
Original Artwork by Hawlii Pichette
- 94 Calls to Action – a child-friendly document to learn about important steps still needed to be taken towards reconciliation (did you know that this Day of T&R is #80 of the 94 calls to action?)
- Raven Reads – blog post about National Day of Truth and Reconciliation; check out the blog for more interesting reads
- Iron Dog Books – feeling like you need some new pages? Check out the “Indigenous Reads for Kids” section!
- Medicine Wheel Publishing – books and resources
- Namwayut: We Are All One – Video about Chief Robert Joseph
- 5 Things You Need to Know About Truth and Reconciliation – Video by Len Pierre
- Dear Younger Me – Video (spoken word) by James Thunder
- ‘Making money off of our trauma’ – CBC News Article: Indigenous artist says her orange shirt designs being stolen, sold (be aware of who you’re purchasing your orange shirts from)
Click here for more information on the Survivors Flag
This term, Division 5 learned about the history of the Métis sash, or ceinture fléchée. We tried our hand (or rather our fingers) at a textile technique called “finger weaving,” used by Indigenous peoples all over North America. Here is a video about some of the history of the Métis sash.
Students worked in pairs to help each other learn the process. One student held the yarn while the other did the weaving. Weaving was like learning some new dance steps, but once we understood the pattern we were flying!
Students practiced their paragraph writing to accompany their weaving, to be displayed at the Student-Led Conferences. Their writing should give some information about who the Métis people are, and students’ experience with the process of learning and doing finger weaving.