Honouring the fourth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30, 2024, marks the fourth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The creation of this federal statutory holiday was through legislative amendments made by the Parliament of Canada. 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. This was done in response to Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action 80, which states that the federal government will work with Indigenous people to establish a statutory day to “honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”

September 30 has been marked as Orange Shirt Day since 2013. Orange Shirt Day is 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. We join in encouraging all Canadians to wear orange to raise awareness of the very tragic legacy of residential schools, and to honour the thousands of survivors.

We honour First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children and communities impacted by this system. During Truth and Reconciliation Week, September 23 to 27, we encourage schools to participate in events offered by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. On September 30, and throughout the preceding week, schools and school boards across Ontario, including students, staff, and school communities, will be commemorating the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, which more than 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were forced to attend between the 1870s and 1997.

The education sector has a critical role to play in Truth and Reconciliation. Educators have the opportunity to build knowledge and shape an understanding of the lasting impact of the Indian Residential School system. Nurturing overall awareness and appreciation for Indigenous histories, knowledge, perspectives and contributions is essential to reconciliation. Many school boards have already begun this work by developing collaborative relationships with their Indigenous Education Councils, implementing Truth and Reconciliation Action Plans and/or Indigenous Education Strategic Plans, as well as incorporating Truth and Reconciliation actions into their Board Action Plans.

Resources

• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Education Resources
• Resources from Scholastic Canada
• Education resources from the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
• The Canadian Government’s Resources for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• Turtle Concepts – Residential School workshops and professional development programs
• Every Child Matters – Book Resources & More (PDF)
• Four Seasons of Reconciliation Education
• ETFO Truth and Reconciliation Resources
• Goodminds.com – First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Books (Truth and Reconciliation)

Please remember that content associated with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation can be triggering for First Nation, Métis and Inuit students, families and communities. Access to mental health and well-being services should be integrated into planning and can include the sharing of the Indian Residential School Crisis line: 1-800-721-0066.

School boards and school authorities are honouring the day in different ways. This page will be updated with school board activities throughout the month of September:

Avon Maitland DSB

Leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Avon Maitland DSB will participate in a variety of commemorative activities that encourage students to reflect on both the Truth and what Reconciliation means to them. These activities include:

• Raising the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s Survivors’ flags with a ceremony done by the Indigenous members of our team
• Sharing out a variety of social media posts that highlight resources and local events
• Supporting teachers with access to an internal National Day for Truth and Reconciliation elementary and secondary resources website, and
• A variety of other commemorative activities that will be done as a school collective within individual schools

Bluewater DSB

As in past years, the Bluewater DSB will be recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on its website and social media pages and encouraging all students and staff to wear orange on Monday, September 30. Several resources and activities have been shared with schools to support learning and awareness during the week prior to, the day of, and even beyond the September 30 observance:

• a virtual reading for primary and junior aged students of the book Nipugtug, delivered by author Emma Metallic
• distribution of The Water Walker (Joanne Robertson) to primary classes, thanks to Bruce Power
• a variety of ON-CORE curriculum online digital resources for classroom sharing
• Scholastic – Take Action for Reconciliation resources for schools to borrow:
• Community Ties (Grades 3 – 6) on the importance of family and culture
• We are the Land (Grades 3 – 8) on exploring connections to the land
• Path to Wellness (Grades 3 – 8) on balance for the mind, body, spirit, and emotions
• Time for a Change (Grades 3 – 8) on the history of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada and the importance of reconciliation
• financial support for elementary and secondary schools to purchase materials for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, or for use throughout the school year
• K-12 online resources, such as the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Orange Shirt Society, and Downie Wenjack Fund Legacy Schools Program
• information on community events hosted by Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation
• an invitation for schools to attend the Indian Day Schools: The National and Local Story exhibition (September 16 to November 30) at Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre, and Indian Day School historical timeline online resource

A few examples of the many school-specific activities that will be occurring include a smudging ceremony for students and staff, the distribution of orange shirts by Grade 12 students to those in junior kindergarten to symbolize the importance of truth and reconciliation, and a reconciliation community walk.

Halton DSB

The Halton DSB will commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, Sept. 30 by centring and listening to the many voices of survivors and their families and reflecting and engaging in ongoing learning. Flags will be lowered at HDSB board offices and schools and the Survivors’ Flag will be raised at the J.W. Singleton Education Centre to, “… honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process”. (TRC Call to Action #80)

The HDSB Indigenous Rights and Education Department is planning a day for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students to gather and build community in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Department has also been sharing classroom resources for educators to use from the start of the school year, leading up to and beyond Sept. 30.

HDSB students, staff and families are invited to wear orange shirts on September 30 to acknowledge our shared responsibility to learn and understand the history and legacy of Residential Schools. When sourcing orange shirts, HDSB schools have been encouraged to use resource providers who are committing proceeds to the benefit of Residential School Survivors.

A joint message from the HDSB Director of Education and the Chair of the Board will be shared, aiming to raise awareness of the lasting intergenerational impacts of Residential Schools on First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, families and communities.

Limestone DSB

Limestone DSB is encouraging schools to create an educational display for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day in their building. In the middle of the display, it has been suggested that students and staff can come together to write a statement describing their school’s actionable commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.

The statement could begin with: “____(enter school name)_____’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation is…”

This statement can express a reasonable action that the school community will do in the 2024-2025 school year to demonstrate its commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.

Surrounding the commitment, schools have been invited to display orange shirts that describe personal reflections about this day and a better future for Indigenous peoples. A document provided prompts for each division has been sent out, with adaptations to each school’s commitment are welcome. The board is also sending posters and two class sets of printed t-shirt templates through board mail to each school. Schools have been encouraged to print additional t-shirts from the template provided, so multiple classes may participate.

DSB Ontario North East

DSB Ontario North East is committed to educating, reflecting, and honouring the rich histories and cultures of Indigenous Peoples.

On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, each school and workplace will honour September 30, with an Orange Shirt Day, to recognize and raise awareness about the residential school system in Canada. All staff have been provided the opportunity to receive an orange shirt highlighting one of our very own students incredible artwork. We proudly wear our orange shirts to reflect on and honour the experiences of Indigenous Peoples.

As educators, we have been given the opportunity and responsibility to engage students in classroom discussions and activities about the history of Indigenous people and the significance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Many students in DSB1 will be attending the Every Child Matters Pow Wow that is being held in Kirkland Lake, the Timmins Orange Shirt Day event at the Timmins Native Friendship Centre, or other community or school events that are being planned and supported by the 15 Indigenous Student Advisors that work throughout our district.

Across DSB1, students will have the opportunity to participate in cultural teachings and opportunities to learn about the history and impact of residential schools, while also celebrating the beauty, brilliance, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people and communities.

In DSB1, we take pride in our ongoing commitment to implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s 94 Calls to Action.

Peel DSB
September 25, 2024, PDSB and DPCDSB present “Illuminating Truths: Bridging Generations to Reconciliation“: This is a hybrid-event designed to immerse high school students in the vibrant and diverse cultures of Indigenous peoples. Through music, dance, poetry, and personal narratives, students will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous traditions. This event is about engaging with the inherent truth and resilience of Residential School Survivors and their descendants. It’s a journey of understanding, empathy, and connection that will leave a lasting impact on everyone involved. The event features DJ Classic Roots, Peter Schuler, Nyle “Miigizi” Johnston, Zoey Roy, Cris Derksen, Nimkii and the Ninis, Geronimo Henry, Maria Campbell, Dakota Ray Hebert, and Semiah. A livestream of the event will be accessible to PDSB students and staff.

The following resources can support learning more about the legacy of residential schools:

• The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation – Residential School History

• Truth and Reconciliation Commission – 94 Calls to Action

• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation – “Truth and Reconciliation Week”.

• Facing History – Orange Shirt Day
• Monique Gray Smith – “Talking to Kids about Residential Schools”

Orange Shirts, we encourage you to support an Indigenous artist or organization. Here are some organizations to consider:

• Isaac Murdoch – in support of Nimkii Aazhibikong

• Finding Our Power Together – in support of suicide prevention programming for Indigenous youth

• Orange Shirt Day – in support of awareness activities

Toronto DSB

On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Toronto DSB recognizes the legacy of Canada’s residential school system and continues to learn the many truths of these institutions. This year during Truth and Reconciliation Week from September 23-27, they are encouraging schools to participate in events offered by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

The TDSB will honour Orange Shirt Day on Monday, September 30. By wearing orange, the TDSB acknowledges the truths of Residential Schools in Canada, honours Survivors, and remembers the thousands of children who died, many of them buried in unmarked graves. The Urban Indigenous Education Centre (UIEC) has made K-12 Orange Shirt Day Resources and a poster is available for the community to use – both of which are accessible from the home page of the TDSB’s website.

Upper Grand DSB

This year, the Upper Grand District School Board will commemorate National Truth and Reconciliation Week from September 23-30 with the continued focus on learning and action. Educators and all board staff are invited to learn by participating in activities and live-streams from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, by reading the 94 Calls to Action and in turn, working towards meaningful individual and class commitments to action and change.

The Indigenous Education Team will be hosting two engaging virtual sessions during Truth and Reconciliation Week on September 25 with author and educator Peggy Janicki. Janicki wrote The Secret Pocket about her mother’s experience in residential school that highlights the ingenuity, brilliance, resistance and resilience of survivors. Peggy will speak to students in grades 4-8 in a virtual live-stream, followed by a professional development session for educators in the evening. Lesson plans have been provided to junior and intermediate classes, so classes can explore the text safely and appropriately.

Educators have been provided with an updated slide-deck of vetted digital and in-school resources organized by division. This slidedeck includes live-streams, opportunities for inquiry, exploration, research and action in classrooms, and suggestions for ways educators can continue their own learning.

Staff and students are encouraged to wear orange shirts on the 30th, to purchase shirts from Indigenous creators/businesses if interested and to participate in the activities recommended on the slidedeck. School staff can share their commitments and events through social media and/or directly with the Indigenous Education Department.

For parents, guardians, caregivers and families, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation will again be offering free virtual ‘Lunch and Learn’ sessions each day of Truth and Reconciliation Week. These 50-minute sessions will cover topics such as the health related impacts of the residential school system, allyship and confronting unconscious bias and a community perspective on the United Nations Declaration Rights of Indigenous Peoples. More information and registration can be accessed here.

If schools choose to fundraise, the Indigenous Education Team kindly requests funds be directed to Woodland Cultural Centre, the former residential school in Brantford or the Survivor’s Secretariat in Six Nations.