Rainbow Schools mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

All Rainbow Schools will observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, September 30, 2024.

Students and staff will observe a moment of silence for the Survivors of residential schools and the children who never came home. Flags will fly at half-mast. Schools will also honour Survivors, their families and communities by playing a Nokomis Dewe’gan hand drum song prepared by Ms. Elizabeth Osawamick, an Anishinaabe Kwe from the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and a professor at Trent University.

“Staff and students will wear orange as we continue to learn about residential schools and their 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 together 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 residential schools across Canada, and the Survivors, including those who have passed into the Spirit World.

A sunrise ceremony will take place at Manitoulin Secondary School, 107 Bay Street, M’Chigeeng on Monday, September 30, 2024 at 6:45 am. The 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
The entire A.B. Ellis Public School community is encouraged to wear orange on Monday, September 30th to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. A moment of silence will be observed during morning announcements to remember the children that never made it home from residential schools and Survivors. Classes will engage in a variety of opportunities to learn about Orange Shirt Day, residential schools and the Calls to Action through read alouds, discussions, writing tasks and infographics. Students will also gain awareness and understanding through activities related to talking circles, Spirit Bear and an orange paper chain with each link highlighting that every child matters. A group of students will represent the school at Noojmowin Teg Health Centre’s Orange Shirt Day event, which includes a three-kilometre walk for the Survivors and families of residential schools.

Algonquin Road Public School
Algonquin Road Public School will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with various in-class lessons to deepen understanding about the impacts of residential schools. Staff and students are encouraged to wear orange in a demonstration of support for residential school Survivors and for those that did not come home. Throughout the week, classes will participate in a variety of lessons, including Phyllis Webstad’s story and why we wear orange shirts. Students will read books such as “My Heart Fills With Happiness”, watch videos on the importance of learning about the day and the history of residential schools, tie orange ribbons around the school, and deepen their understanding of what our land acknowledgment means.

Assiginack Public School
Students of Assiginack Public School will engage in a variety of learning opportunities during Truth and Reconciliation Week. Staff and students are encouraged to wear orange shirts on Monday, September 30th in support of residential school Survivors and those that did not make it home and as a show of commitment towards Truth and Reconciliation. The beading club will continue to make orange beaded bracelets that will be shared with students on September 30th. Leaning on the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s virtual programming, students will engage in age appropriate discussions about the history and enduring spirit of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Students will also create ribbons of hope that capture their learning.

Barrydowne College
Leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, students from Barrydowne College were invited to take part in an orange shirt art project on September 25th. Staff and students are encouraged to wear orange shirts on Monday, September 30th in support of residential school Survivors and in a show of commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. Students may participate in a presentation at Barrydowne College followed by a smudging ceremony and teachings about residential schools at the Wabnode Centre for Indigenous Services.

C.R. Judd Public School
On Monday, September 30th, staff and students of C.R. Judd Public School will wear orange shirts in support of residential school Survivors and as a show of commitment towards truth and reconciliation. The day will begin with an Honour Song. Staff and students will participate in a sharing circle following an informational video led by Elder Wilson Bearhead. Students will also have an opportunity to acknowledge why they matter through an orange shirt activity.

Central Manitoulin Public School
Leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Central Manitoulin Public School students will engage in various activities to build their knowledge of Indigenous peoples and culture. Students in Grades 3 and 7 will learn about harvesting sweetgrass and the importance of medicine in the Indigenous culture with teachings provided by a local Elder. Primary students will read “You Hold Me Up” by Monique Gray Smith and discuss the importance of supporting each other. On Monday, September 30th, staff and students will enjoy a feast of Three Sisters Soup following last year’s teaching of The Mighty Odawa.

Charles C. McLean Public School
Staff and students at Charles C. McLean Public School are invited to wear orange in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. A moment of silence will take place during morning announcements to honour the children who never made it home from residential schools as well as the Survivors. Grade 2 students will read “Shin-Chi’s Canoe” by Nicola Campbell and Kim Lafave, create a personal land acknowledgment, and will engage in nature sketching to reflect the beautiful land in which they live. Grade 3/4 students will partake in various activities associated with read-alouds including “The Orange Shirt Story”, “I Lost my Talk”, and “When We Were Alone”. Students will also incorporate beadwork into their math lessons. Grade 4/5 students will discuss residential schools, and will write and/or draw their thoughts following a lesson on this topic. Students in Grade 7/8 will use “Spirit Bear’s Guide to The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action” to investigate the 94 calls to action. They will consider which calls to action Canada has incorporated and which need more work. Students will also be challenged to create their own action plan. Core French classes will watch “Chaque enfant compte” and “Qu’est ce que c’est la Journée nationale de la vérité et de la réconciliation?” Following this, they will also brainstorm their thoughts.

Chelmsford Valley District Composite School
Throughout the week, all classes at Chelmsford Valley District Composite School will engage in various learning opportunities with a focus on Truth and Reconciliation. Under the guidance of the Indigenous Support Worker, students and staff from Kindergarten to Grade 12, will join together to create a collaborative art piece with words of affirmation. All members of the school community are encouraged to wear orange on Monday, September 30th in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Churchill Public School
Leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, students and staff at Churchill Public School will engage in meaningful and age appropriate dialogues about reconciliation and the residential school system. Read-alouds, including “Phyllis’s Orange Shirt”, “I am Not a Number” and “Stolen Words” will encourage discussions and deepen understanding. Classes will take part in programming through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation with livestreamed events, lessons and discussions. On September 30th, staff and students are encouraged to wear orange shirts to recognize the impact of residential schools on generations of Indigenous peoples.

Jean Hanson Public School
Students from Jean Hanson Public School will wear orange on Monday, September 30th to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Various classes will design and create their own orange shirts to celebrate their uniqueness. Students will participate in a smudging ceremony to honour residential school Survivors and the children who did not make it home. Classes will also participate in read-alouds including “When We Were Alone” by David Robertson and Julie Flett, and “My Heart Fills With Happiness” by Monique Gray Smith.

Lansdowne Public School
Students and staff from Lansdowne Public School will spend National Truth and Reconciliation Week reading texts such as “A Promise is a Promise”. Classes will also learn about Phyllis Webstad’s story and design their own orange shirts. Students will engage with various written works by Indigenous authors, such as “Speaking Our Truth” by Monique Gray Smith, “The Train” by Jodie Callaghan, “I’m Finding My Talk” by Rebecca Thomas and “When I Was Eight” by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton. Some classes will look at various art from Indigenous cultures and create dreamcatchers or design moccasins. Several classes will take part in programming through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Staff and students are encouraged to wear orange on Monday, September 30th.

Lasalle Elementary School
In the lead-up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, students from Lasalle Elementary School will engage in various learning opportunities including readings and class discussions to develop awareness about the individual, family and community intergenerational impacts of residential schools. On Monday, September 30th, all students and staff are encouraged to wear orange.

Lasalle Secondary School
Lasalle Secondary School invited Grade 10 Indigenous History students to participate in the French River provincial park “Voices of the River” museum exhibit, which showcases the rich history of First Nations, French and English cultures that have lived, worked and travelled the waters over centuries. The exhibit provides an array of historical maps and images, as well as detailed reproductions of historical exploration and fur trade artifacts.  The audio stories are in English, French and Ojibwe.

Lively District Secondary School
The entire Lively District Secondary School community is encouraged to wear orange to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. A moment of silence will be observed during morning announcements to remember the children that never made it home from residential schools. Several classes will watch “Orange Shirt Day – Truth and Reconciliation in Canada” followed by lessons and discussions. History classes will learn how Confederation impacted Indigenous peoples as well as The Indian Act of 1876. During National Truth and Reconciliation Week, the Indigenous Student Committee led by the Indigenous Support Worker will engage the full school community in various activities designed to raise awareness and understanding.

Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School
Throughout the week leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, staff and students at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School will reflect upon and acknowledge the history and lasting impacts of residential schools. Classes will engage in literacy lessons, featuring such works as “The Secret Path”. Students will also watch plays including “1939” which was born of both family legacy and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, and has been guided by Indigenous Elders, Survivors and ceremony throughout its development. On Monday, September 30th, the entire school community is invited to wear orange to honour residential school Survivors and the children who never made it home. Orange felt pins will be presented to all students and staff as a way to recognize the important role we must all play in truth and reconciliation.

Lockerby Composite School
Students and staff at Lockerby Composite School will take part in a week-long awareness campaign to reflect upon and acknowledge the history and lasting impacts of residential schools. On September 30th, the main foyer will host displays and the entire school community is invited to wear orange to honour the Survivors of residential schools and the children who never made it home. Orange ribbons will be created and distributed by members of Student Council to encourage moments of reflection. Classes will engage in various learning, reading, and discussion opportunities including the “Three Sisters Legend” teachings. In a show of support, students are asked to share their perspectives through written submissions about what national Truth and Reconciliation means to them. Students are also invited to participate in beading projects during lunch.

Markstay Public School
The entire Markstay Public School community is encouraged to wear orange on Monday, September 30th to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. A moment of silence will be observed during morning announcements to remember the children that never made it home from residential schools and honour the Survivors. Through various art and literacy lessons, students will learn about individual, family and community impacts of the residential school system. Staff and students will design handprints for an “Every Child Matters” display in the front lobby that celebrates each child’s uniqueness.

Monetville Public School
Students from Monetville Public School will wear orange on Monday, September 30th to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Students have been engaged in various lessons connected to the history and truths of the history in Canada as it relates to Indigenous peoples. 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.

Redwood Acres Public School
Students from Redwood Acres Public School will begin the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by reflecting on a land acknowledgment for the Indigenous territory that we are on. 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. An “Every Child Matters” banner will be on display in the school’s front entrance.

R.H. Murray Public School
To commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the entire R.H. Murray Public School community is invited to wear orange on Monday, September 30th. Students across all grades will learn about the experiences of residential school Survivors in an age appropriate manner. Cultural teachings and activities will take place in classrooms with the support of the Indigenous Support Worker.

S. Geiger Public School
Students from S. Geiger Public School will engage in classroom lessons and discussions to deepen their understanding of the significance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Students in Grades 1, 2 and 3 will design and proudly wear orange shirts with the theme “I Matter”. All classes will read “Stolen Words” by Melanie Florence, about the generational impact of Canada’s residential school system and the reclamation of language. Students will select a word from a vocabulary chart that connects to the story’s message. Anishinaabemowin words will be written on orange paper and displayed throughout the school. Students and staff are encouraged to wear orange to commemorate the Survivors, children, families, and communities affected by the residential school system.

Valley View Public School
Students from Valley View Public School will engage in various classroom-based lessons to deepen their understanding of Truth and Reconciliation. Grade 1 students will create art inspired by Indigenous artist Norval Morrisseau. Grade 8 students attended the Cinefest film, “Red Fever”, which addresses everyday stereotypes and cultural appropriation. Various books in both English and French will be shared across all grades to spark discussion and reflection about various themes including home, identity, courage and cultural loss. Staff and students are encouraged to wear orange on September 30th.

Walden Public School
Students and staff from Walden Public School will wear orange to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to help raise awareness about individual, family and community intergenerational impacts of residential schools. Conversations and age appropriate learning opportunities will take place in all classrooms around how we can heal as a community and nation. All students will receive a piece of orange ribbon to tie to the fence in a show of collective responsibility to honour those affected by residential schools and remind our community that every child matters.

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Media Contact:

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