Truth and Reconciliation Week is an opportunity to learn, listen and reflect on the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools in Canada.
For generations, First Nations, Métis and Inuit children were taken from their families and communities and placed in residential schools. These schools were designed to separate Indigenous children from their families, cultures and languages. The impacts of this history continue to be felt by Survivors, their families and Indigenous communities today.
Truth and Reconciliation Week provides an opportunity to learn about these truths, honour the experiences of Survivors and their families, and deepen our understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, languages and contributions.
Learning is part of reconciliation
Reconciliation is an ongoing journey. It asks us to learn about the past, listen to Indigenous voices and consider how we can build respectful relationships and contribute to positive change.
Across Pembina Hills, students are engaging with these ideas in age-appropriate ways through stories, lessons, discussions, art, language and other learning experiences. This learning is not limited to one week, but Truth and Reconciliation Week provides an important opportunity to pause and focus our attention on this work.
Families and community members are encouraged to take part in the learning, too. Learning together can create opportunities for meaningful conversations with children and young people and help us better understand the experiences and perspectives of Indigenous peoples.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day – September 30
Why an orange shirt? The orange shirt has become a symbol of remembrance, belonging and the commitment that Every Child Matters.
The story began with Phyllis Webstad, who, at six years old, arrived at the St. Joseph Mission Residential School in British Columbia wearing a new orange shirt that her grandmother had bought for her. When she arrived at the school, her shirt was taken away. Phyllis has shared her story for many years to help others understand the experiences of children who were separated from their families, communities, cultures and languages through the residential school system.
Her story inspired the Orange Shirt Day movement and continues to remind us of the importance of listening to Survivors, remembering the children who attended residential schools, and ensuring that every child is valued, respected and able to grow up connected to their family, culture and community.
Read Phyllis Webstad’s story, in her own words.
Continue your learning
There are many resources available to help us learn more about residential schools, Indigenous histories and reconciliation:
- Rupertsland Institute offers lesson plans and learning resources, including age-appropriate resources about residential schools. Explore Rupertsland Institute resources.
- The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation offers videos and educational resources organized by grade level. Explore NCTR educational resources.
- The Downie & Wenjack Foundation provides resources to help Canadians learn about Indigenous history, culture and reconciliation.
- Orange Shirt Society website offers activities, videos and guides in both English and French.
- Government of Canada website has many learning resources and graphics for sharing
The meaning behind the visual
Image: From the Government of Canada website
The design honours the children who never returned home from residential schools, Survivors, their families and communities.
In the centre are three symbols: a feather, a narwhal, and a flower. Each symbol represents the distinct cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, brought together in a circular flowing composition to reflect the connection between the groups.
Above the central elements, stars surrounding the moon honour the children who never returned home from residential schools and symbolize their enduring place in our thoughts and memory. The dotted patterns evoke beadwork and reflect the importance of passing down art, culture and traditions from one generation to the next.
Flowing lines connect the elements of the design, reflecting the connections between land, water, communities and generations. Their winding path represents the journey of reconciliation and reminds us that reconciliation is an ongoing process.
The colour orange represents remembrance and the enduring message that every child matters.