Rainbow Schools mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Rainbow Schools will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, September 30, 2022. Students and staff will observe a moment of silence to honour the Survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities, and remember the children who never came home. Flags will fly at half-mast.

Schools will play an honour/drum song recorded by Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie who is from the Indigenous “Anishinaabe” community in Sudbury. Bryden was nominated for the Best Hand Drum Album of the year at the 2017 Indigenous Music Awards and has been performing with traditional drum circles since childhood.

“Staff and students will wear orange as we come together to continue to learn about residential schools and the impact on generations of Indigenous peoples,” said Rainbow District School Board Director of Education Bruce Bourget. “Schools will ensure Indigenous students, staff and families feel supported as we stand in solidarity with them during this time of retrospection and reflection.”

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation reaffirms and reinforces the importance of the “Truth and Reconciliation: A Commitment to Action” plan adopted by Rainbow District School Board. The plan is dedicated to the former students of Canada’s residential school experience – the Survivors – and the many men and women, the Elders – including those who have passed into the Spirit World – whose traditional territory we now call home.

Rainbow District School Board will host a sunrise ceremony at the Centre for Education, 408 Wembley Drive on Friday, September 30th at 6:45 am. The Sunrise Ceremony will be conducted by Anishinaabe Traditional Advisor, Mr. Gerard Sagassige, who is a member of the Curve Lake First Nation.

A.B. Ellis Public School
Staff and students from A.B. Ellis Public School are encouraged to wear orange on Friday, September 30th in support of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. During morning announcements, a moment of silence will be observed to honour the children that never made it home. Students will learn through videos and read alouds about the impact of Phyllis Webstad’s experience and will reflect on the significance of this day.

Adamsdale Public School
Students from Adamsdale Public School will learn about the impacts of residential schools through classroom discussions and lessons leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On Friday, September 30th, students will hear an honour song at 2 pm, which will be followed by a walk led by an Ojibwe teacher. Students and staff are encouraged to also wear orange to commemorate the Survivors, children, families and communities affected by the residential school system.

Algonquin Road Public School
Algonquin Road Public School began the week with a land acknowledgement. Students will engage in classroom lessons and discussions to deepen their understanding about the significance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Morning announcements will include various versions of our national anthem as prepared by First Nation, Métis and Inuit people. On Friday, September 30th, students and staff will observe a moment of silence to the drum song by Bryden Kiwenzie, and are invited to wear orange in honour of residential school Survivors, and to commemorate the children who did not make it home.

Assiginack Public School
The entire Assiginack Public School community will learn about and commemorate the truth of our history as a significant part of our path to reconciliation. For perspective, students will take part in readings and seminars developed by Indigenous people. Everyone is invited to wear orange in support of residential school Survivors. To build awareness, an “Every Child Matters” banner and lawn signs generously donated by the Ontario Women’s Native Association (ONWA) will be on display.

Barrydowne College
In the lead up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, students from Barrydowne College are invited to take part in an orange shirt art project. Staff and students are encouraged to wear orange shirts on Friday, September 30th in support of residential school Survivors and as a show of commitment to truth and reconciliation. Students can participate in an information session about truth and reconciliation as a path forward for a brighter future. The story of Phyllis Webstad’s orange shirt will be shared, and a moment of silence will be observed to honour residential school Survivors, the children who did not make it home, and the unmarked graves across Turtle Island.

Chelmsford Valley District Composite School
On Friday, September 30th at 1 pm, students from Chelmsford Valley District Composite School will take part in a virtual panel discussion about the Pope’s visit to Canada, where they will also hear Indigenous perspectives regarding the Pope’s apology to Indigenous peoples. Classes are invited to take part in a “Walk for Wenjack” at the school. Chanie Wenjack was an Anishinaabe boy who attended Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School for three years in Kenora, Ontario. Sadly, Chanie died of hunger and exposure in Farlane, Ontario, trying to walk 600 kilometres back to his home, Ogoki Post on the Marten Falls Reserve. This walk will raise awareness about the tragedies as a result of residential schools.

C.R. Judd Public School
Students from C.R. Judd Public School will wear orange to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Students will engage in various learning experiences connected to the history of residential schools, including read alouds of “Shi Shi Etko”, “The Water Walker” and “Stolen Words,” learning about Phyllis Webstad’s experiences and the meaning of wearing an orange shirt, as well as exploring the significance of the number 300 and the Dish With One Spoon Treaty. The entire school community will join together in a moment of silence to acknowledge the unmarked graves that continue to be discovered across Canada, and to reaffirm their commitment to truth and reconciliation through unity and new beginnings.

Carl A. Nesbitt Public School
On Friday, September 30th, students and staff from Carl A. Nesbitt Public School are encouraged to wear orange to honour the survivors of residential schools and show support for Indigenous peoples across Canada.

Central Manitoulin Public School
Staff from Central Manitoulin Public School will incorporate a variety of resources and videos to further students’ understanding of Indigenous cultures. Together, they will learn about the history of residential schools to strengthen their relationships with Indigenous friends, families and communities.

Charles C. McLean Public School
Students from Charles C. McLean Public School will design orange shirt logos for a wall display. Daily morning announcements will continue in Anishinaabemowin – adding to what students have already learned. To build understanding, in the lead up to Friday, September 30th, classes have registered for workshops hosted by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

Churchill Public School
Staff and students from Churchill Public School will wear orange to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This small gesture will help to raise awareness about individual, family and community intergenerational impacts of residential schools. Conversations will take place in classes about how we can heal as a nation, as we honour, respect and learn together.

Copper Cliff Public School
The school community at Copper Cliff Public School will be encouraged to wear orange to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and raise awareness of the individual, family and community intergenerational impacts of residential schools. Throughout the week, class discussions will take place about how we can heal as a nation.

Ernie Checkeris Public School
On Friday, September 30th, students and staff from Ernie Checkeris Public School are encouraged to wear orange to honour the survivors of residential schools and show support for Indigenous peoples across Canada.

Espanola High School
Espanola High School students have created an orange shirt display in the main foyer of the school as part of a week-long, school-wide awareness campaign. Individual classes have produced cards that speak to the importance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to be distributed to classes this week. The cards will serve to prepare students for moments of reflection and discussion led by teachers. Orange felt pins in the shape of t-shirts and hearts will be given to staff and students as they enter the school on Friday, September 30th. Visual Arts students will refresh the art installation on school grounds with fresh orange yarn as a symbol of their ongoing commitment to truth and reconciliation. Each student will contribute to the colouring of the tree with yarn, making it both a visible act and personal commitment. A group of students will also take part in the “Truth. Resiliency. Hope.” event at Bell Park.

Jean Hanson Public School
Staff and students from Jean Hanson Public School are invited to wear orange on Friday, September 30th to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. Based on grade and ability, students will connect virtually to hear Elders discuss treaty history, truth and reconciliation, and residential schools. Students will also learn about the medicine wheel – the idea of balance at the centre of the wheel, while equally developing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of one’s personality.

Lansdowne Public School
In the lead up to the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, students from Lansdowne Public School will engage in various learning opportunities including readings, discussions and virtual sessions with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Students will also learn about the history of treaties and residential schools. On Friday, September 30th, intermediate students will attend the “Truth. Resiliency. Hope.” event at Bell Park.

Larchwood Public School
Larchwood Public School began observing National Truth and Reconciliation Week on Monday, September 26th. Staff and students will incorporate the six actions of ReconciliACTION, as developed by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, into their daily work. These actions will mark an ongoing commitment to walking a path of right relations with Indigenous peoples, including truth sharing, intentional listening, healing and reconciliation. Students will continue to: learn about the history between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples; strive to understand the history of residential schools; explore the unique intersections between treaty, constitutional, Indigenous, and human rights in Canada; recognize the rich contributions of Indigenous peoples; discover how to take action to address historical injustices; and endeavour to teach others about their learning. On Friday, September 30th, the entire school community will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by wearing orange and participating in a ceremony to remember the children lost to the residential school system, as well as Survivors and their families.

Lasalle Secondary School
The entire Lasalle Secondary School community will hear a special address led by an Indigenous student during morning announcements, to reflect on and acknowledge the history and lasting impacts of residential schools, while also commemorating the Survivors. A strong emphasis will be placed on supporting Indigenous students. The school’s Indigenous Support Worker will be available all day, and will have Sage medicine ready for a smudge. Teachers are encouraged to read the 94 Calls to Action with their students, and to have intentional discussions about what we can do individually to fulfill some of those calls, and what our nation is doing to relieve the burden from Indigenous peoples. Orange shirt cut-outs will be displayed throughout the school to remind staff and students about the significance of this day. Three classes will attend the “Truth. Resiliency. Hope.” event at Bell Park on Friday, September 30th.

Levack Public School
Levack Public School will pay respect to residential school Survivors through education. Indigenous Support Worker Hazel Fox-Recollet spoke to students about the Seven Grandfather Teachings and Turtle Island. Kindergarten students are learning about Indigenous traditions such as drumming. Leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, classes will watch videos, engage in dialogue, and read about Phyllis Webstad and the significance of Orange Shirt Day. Classes will design orange shirts to present during a school-wide assembly on Friday, September 30th at 9 am. The gathering will include a welcome song, a land acknowledgement, and a moment of silence to honour Survivors of residential schools.

Lively District Secondary School
In the lead up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Lively District Secondary School students in Grade 7 and 8 will honour truth and reconciliation through education. On Friday, September 30th, all students will place their handprint on a life-size orange “Every Child Matters” shirt to pledge their individual commitment to reconciliation. Some classes will also attend the ”Truth. Resiliency. Hope.” event at Bell Park.

Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School
To signify their commitment to reconciliation, staff and students at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School will draw hearts for a mural in commemoration of the Survivors of residential schools, and the families and communities left in mourning. Student Council members will be in the main foyer at lunch throughout the week to provide insight, and create awareness and moments of reflection in honour of those affected by residential schools.

Manitoulin Secondary School
At Manitoulin Secondary School, senior music students will look at “Social Issues in Music.” Students will also examine a song from “The Secret Path” by Gord Downie, and will reflect on the intergenerational impacts of residential schools. On Friday, September 30th, students will examine some of the 94 Calls to Action. Jean Debassige, who remembers where the boats docked in M’Chigeeng in front of Manitoulin Secondary School and travelled 43 kilometres Northwest to bring children to residential school in Spanish, will bring classes to the lakeshore to discuss some places in view and share their history. Students in the Three Fires Council have planned a feast for lunch with support from Educational Assistant Karen McGraw. Some students will also take part in learning sessions with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

Markstay Public School
Guest Speaker Elder Nokomis Martina Osawamick will visit Markstay Public School on Thursday, September 29th to teach students in all grades about truth and reconciliation, the significance of Orange Shirt Day, and the history of residential schools. Nokomis Martina, originally from the Wikwemikoong First Nation on Manitoulin Island – Mnidoo Minissing – is a Survivor of the Spanish River Residential School. In her resilience and determination, she is a keeper of the Ojibwe Language Anishinaabemowin and she has relearned her way of life as an Anishinaabe Kwe. Nokomis travels throughout the Anishinaabe territory to bring life teachings of the Anishinaabek for the benefit of all people. Students will also work collaboratively to make a “heart garden” on Orange Shirt Day. Using hearts, students will draw or write about what we can do to make sure all children know they matter. Hearts will be used for an art installation.

Monetville Public School
Students from Monetville Public School will participate in various age-appropriate lessons in the lead up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Kindergarten students will learn about Indigenous traditions such as dancing and music, and will read books from Indigenous authors, including “Phyllis’ Orange Shirt” followed by a discussion in a sharing circle. Students will also watch an episode of “Molly of Denali”. On Friday, September 30th, classes will discuss what emotions children should feel when they are at school – happy, safe, loved – and will decorate a feather with their feelings to be showcased in a large display. Students in Grades 1 to 2 will read “With Our Orange Hearts” by Phyllis Webstad to examine the significance of Orange Shirt Day and what “Every Child Matters” means, as well as “The Giving Tree: A Retelling of a Traditional Métis Story” by Leah Dorion. Readings will be followed by a discussion about the meanings of Métis and generosity. Students will brainstorm their own giving tree as inspired by Indigenous artists Christi Belcourt and Kenojuak Ashevak. Some students will read “When I Was Eight” by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, and will write messages to Olemaun on orange shirt templates. Students in Grades 3 to 5 will watch “The Word Indigenous – Explained” by CBC. Indigenous perspectives will be incorporated into learning subjects. Students from Grades 6 to 8 will also learn through resources from the Moose Hide Campaign.

Princess Anne Public School
To remember and honour all residential school Survivors, students from Princess Anne Public School will create a one-of-a-kind oversized orange shirt to be proudly displayed on school grounds.

Queen Elizabeth II Public School
On Friday, September 30th, students from Queen Elizabeth II Public School will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with an educational assembly and art. The result will be a lasting commemoration to honour the experiences of residential school Survivors.

R.L. Beattie Public School
R.L. Beattie Public School students will take part in learning and reflection opportunities that recognize their commitment to truth and reconciliation. Students in all grades will learn from Phyllis Webstad’s story and life experience as a residential school Survivor.

Redwood Acres Public School
Students from Redwood Acres Public School will hear a land acknowledgement for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The entire school community is invited to wear orange. Age-appropriate dialogues will take place in classes about the importance of commemorating this day. Students will also discuss what it means to be an ally.

Remote Learning Elementary and Secondary
To commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, students in the Remote Learning Elementary and Secondary School will learn about Indigenous groups in Canada, and will discuss their cultural practices, languages and traditions. Lessons will take place each day of the week to showcase local Indigenous artists, books, podcasts, television shows and movies. Students will create their own orange shirts indicating two things they have learned, and two ways they can play an active role in reconciliation. On Wednesday, September 28th at noon, some students took part in a discussion with Canada Post about unveiling the new Indigenous postage stamp. Some students will also read Phyllis
Webstad’s story in French.

S. Geiger Public School
Students from S. Geiger Public School will participate in read-alouds to learn about, acknowledge, and remember residential school Survivors. Many of the books will be read by the original author. Students will design feathers that detail something/someone that holds them up, supports them, and makes them feel good about themselves – an activity based on the book “What Holds You Up” by Monique Gray Smith of Cree and Lakota descent. In the book, she connects the theme of reciprocal caring to reconciliation. The feathers will be used to construct a set of wings, which will serve as a reminder to staff and students about the importance of working collectively to support reconciliation.

Sudbury Secondary School
Students in Foods and Family classes will read an article about Indigenous self-esteem and self-culture, as well as the effects of residential schools on students and the community. Students will brainstorm ways to encourage self-esteem and self-culture for Indigenous students. Ojibwe teacher Ms. Nahwegahbow along with Indigenous Support Worker Ms. Auger will bring two classes to Bell Park for the “Truth. Resiliency. Hope.” event. Students will accompany the N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre who have organized a walk to Bell Park to honour residential school Survivors and the children who never made it home. Students will also watch a play “Debwewin” – meaning Truth – followed by a video and question period.

Valley View Public School
Students and staff at Valley View Public School are invited to wear orange to honour and create awareness for the Survivors of residential schools and the children who never made it home. The entire school community will gather in the schoolyard for a land acknowledgement and moment of silence followed by hand drumming by Designated Early Childhood Educator Lee Ann Wotton.

Westmount Avenue Public School
To commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, students from Westmount Avenue Public School will create a school-wide art project to celebrate each child’s uniqueness. The entire school community will continue to focus on developing and nurturing the values that provide the foundation for ongoing character development, our way of being as we interact with each other, as well as the environment.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171 ext. 7217.