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Truth and Reconciliation

SD48 wishes to invite you to participate in showing support to local Indigenous communities, particularly throughout the month of September, raising awareness of national Truth and Reconciliation. We wear the orange shirts in honour of survivors, of those who never returned, and of the ongoing legacy of Residential Schools. Currently, we are in a time where our ally-ship is important on a continuous basis and not only a visible event on the official Orange Shirt Day. The local First Nations will continue to guide us and we are preparing to show solidarity out in community events on September 30th, National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, as well as other days which will be landmarks in the history of this country.

National Day of Truth and Reconciliation at the Squamish Lilwat Cultural Centre in Whistler (September 30- October 3): A day of reflection and learning. Thanks to the generous support from the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, the SLCC will be free admission on September 30th. Stories from Elders, songs from Knowledge Keepers, and the voices of Indigenous youth will be heard. Free admission on October 1st - 3rd is made possible thanks to the generous support of CIBC. More information here.
 
Truth and Reconciliation Commemoration Event in Squamish (September 30): Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation members will hold a downtown Truth and Reconciliation Commemoration Event. The event begins at 1 p.m. and runs until 3 p.m. Wear your orange shirt if you have one. More information here.
 
Virtual Truth and Reconciliation Week (September 27-October 1): The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is hosting a free five-day virtual event to continue the conversations from Every Child Matters. Open to all Canadian schools for youth grades 5-12, this event will provide historical workshops, exclusive video content and activities for students, supported by artistic and cultural performances by First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists. Districts are encouraged to reach out to the local Nations to collaborate and plan in preparation for this week and Orange Shirt Day.
 
We will continue to add any upcoming local events as we hear about them over time.

Orange Shirt Day: The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th opens the door to the global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind.  A discussion all Canadians can tune into and create bridges with each other for reconciliation.  A day for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter, and so do those that have been affected.  Every Child Matters, even if they are an adult, from now on. Visit https://www.orangeshirtday.org/about-us.html for more information.

National Truth and Reconciliation: The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) is a place of learning and dialogue where the truths of Residential School Survivors, families and communities are honoured and kept safe for future generations. Learn more about the NCTR at https://nctr.ca/about/.

Report on Indigenous Women and Girls: Sacred and Strong is a report about the health and wellness of Indigenous women and girls living in B.C. Grounded in Indigenous wellness perspectives, it contains data, stories and teachings about the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health and well-being of Indigenous women at every phase of life.  Read the report

Talking to Kids About Residential Schools: Monique Grey Smith provides educators and parents with helpful resources and starting points for important conversations. https://youtu.be/ebOJ_lMCVvk

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action

The Whole Truth About Residential Schools: Then and Now:  Beginning Sept. 15, 2021, Nelson will host a new, free webinar series entitled "The Whole Truth About Residential Schools: Then and Now." The series will provide a comprehensive overview of the Residential School System and the intergenerational impacts and actions resulting from the Indian Residential School Settlement agreement. Participants will learn of practical strategies and recommended resources to help support student learning about residential schools and tips on navigating these crucial K-12 classroom discussions. With the recent findings of unmarked graves of children who attended residential schools, this series is recommended for educators and students to learn more about the truth of these schools. Register through Nelson's website today!

Urban Iskwew: Older elementary, middle school or high school. Art, Design or as self-regulation tool. Downloadable colouring pages with indigenous design and themes done in the style of adult colouring books.https://www.urbaniskwew.com/coloring-pages?fbclid=IwAR3SwR-1bihaKHMQai0U0ihE4pnI5QFKHMPmVOwDwuzsgtPTkbE91aTq6z4

 
Flags at Half-Mast: With the guidance of our local Indigenous communities, in our schools, we will use the month of September to reflect upon and learn about the Truth of our history and how to move forward in a good way. We will continue to fly our Canadian flags at half-mast in support of the community and our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. 

 

Wear Orange: We wear orange shirts, particularly throughout the month of September, in honour of survivors, of those who never returned, and of the ongoing legacy of Residential Schools. If you are interested in purchasing an orange shirt, we encourage you to purchase it from one of the listed retailers on https://www.orangeshirtday.org/shirt-retailers.html. There are other ways to wear orange and show your support too. For example, an orange ribbon or strips of an orange t-shirt can be worn on a wrist. Some schools have used paper to cut out small orange t-shirts to pin onto students’ clothing. 

Mental health Supports for Students, Families and Staff:

24/7 supports:

 British Columbia Resources:

 National Crisis Hotlines: