Rainbow Schools mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Rainbow Schools will observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

A sunrise ceremony will take place at Espanola High School, 147 Spruce Avenue, Espanola on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 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.

The school day will begin with 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.”

A.B. Ellis Public School
The entire A.B. Ellis Public School community is encouraged to wear orange on Tuesday, 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 who never made it home from residential schools. Classes will engage in a variety of learning opportunities about Orange Shirt Day, residential schools, and the Calls to Action through read alouds and discussions. Students will also develop an understanding of empathy, highlighting why every child matters. A group of intermediate students will represent the school during a walk at the Espanola Recreation Centre to honour the National Truth and Reconciliation Day with Noojmowin Teg Health Centre.

Adamsdale Public School
Adamsdale Public School will be home to a new mural to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day titled “Every Child Matters: A Tribute from Adamsdale Public School”. The collaborative piece of art will honour the children, families and communities impacted by the residential school system and the little ancestors that never made it home. Students and staff have been invited to contribute by selecting an orange shirt cut-out to decorate with Indigenous art as well as messages of support and reflection.

Alexander Public School
On Tuesday, September 30th, students and staff from Alexander Public School will commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by wearing orange and engaging in age-appropriate learning to honour residential school Survivors, their families and communities. Learning opportunities will include land acknowledgements, readings, classroom discussions, and creative projects that convey messages of hope. Some students will also take part in virtual events hosted by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. On Thursday, October 2nd, intermediate classes will attend the Kenjgewin Teg Fall Harvest. Together, these experiences will deepen understanding of the residential school system’s lasting impact and encourage us all to reflect on what it means to be allies on the path to reconciliation.

Algonquin Road Public School
Staff and students from Algonquin Road Public School are encouraged to wear orange on Tuesday, September 30th to recognize the important role we all play in truth and reconciliation. Through various art, literacy and historical lessons, students will learn about individual, family and community impacts of the residential school system locally and nationally. Students in Grade 8 will travel to Bell Park to take part in a full-day of cultural education.

Assiginack Public School
On Tuesday, September 30th, students and staff from Assiginack Public School will wear orange to honour residential school Survivors and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to truth and reconciliation. Throughout the day, students will take part in meaningful learning experiences, including creating a mural to be displayed outside, participating in a small ceremony with hand drumming, and exploring texts that deepen their understanding of the residential school system and its lasting impact.

Barrydowne College
Leading 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 on Tuesday, September 30th in support of residential school Survivors and our collective 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.

C.C. McLean Public School
Many learning opportunities will take place at C.C. McLean Public School to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Kindergarten students will read books by Indigenous authors and take part in age-appropriate discussions. They will also begin a meaningful connection with a Kindergarten class from St. Joseph’s Anishinabek School in Sheshegwaning First Nation through pen pal letters, fostering relationships and cultural exchange between communities. Students in Grades 5/6 will learn about the history of Orange Shirt Day, the impact of the residential school system on children and families, and will identify ways to be part of reconciliation and making commitments for change. Students in Grade 7 will take part in shared readings and discussions about truth and reconciliation.

C.R. Judd Public School
In the lead-up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, students from C.R. Judd Public School will engage in age-appropriate learning opportunities including readings and discussions to develop awareness of the intergenerational impacts of residential schools. On Tuesday, September 30th, all students and staff are encouraged to wear orange in a demonstration of support and remembrance.

Central Manitoulin Public School
Throughout the week, staff and students will reflect and acknowledge the history and lasting impacts of residential schools. The entire school community is invited to wear orange on Tuesday, September 30th to honour the children, families and communities affected. Students will engage in learning opportunities that promote truth and friendship. Students will also hear stories, including Phyllis Webstad’s orange shirt story. A moment of silence will be observed to honour the Survivors and those who did not make it home.

Chelmsford Valley District Composite School
For the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day, the entire Chelmsford Valley District Composite School community will take part in a schoolwide assembly. Staff and students will continue to learn about Phyllis Webstad’s orange shirt. Shared read alouds of “Miya Wears Orange” by Cree author Wanda John-Kehewin and “Of the Sun: A Poem for the Land’s First Peoples” by Xelena González illustrated by Anishinaabe artist and visual storyteller Emily Kewageshig will highlight the lasting intergenerational impacts of residential schools and deepen their understanding of the ongoing path toward truth and reconciliation. Everyone is encouraged to wear orange on Tuesday, September 30th.

Churchill Public School
Churchill 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. Using “The Orange Shirt Story” as a read aloud, students will reflect on why we participate in this important initiative. Students will use their reflections to create art symbolizing their thoughts. Some junior students will create a school mural. Staff and students are encouraged to wear orange in a demonstration of support for residential school Survivors.

Copper Cliff Public School
Primary and junior students from Copper Cliff Public School will engage in read alouds and learning opportunities to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day. Following a reading of the book “You Hold me Up” by Monique Gray, students will create a bulletin board to show various ways we can hold each other up. Intermediate classes will participate in live interactive teachings and learning modules including an address by Phyllis Webstad through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. In the afternoon, the entire school will join together for a virtual read aloud.

Espanola High School
At Espanola High School, students, staff, and community members will join together on Tuesday, September 30th to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a day of reflection and learning. The day will begin with a Sunrise Ceremony in the new outdoor learning space across from the school followed by a mini powwow featuring cultural events, crafts and activities that honour Indigenous traditions. Students and staff are engaging in meaningful projects and will share their learning about truth and reconciliation. The Noojmowin Teg Health Centre will provide a meal for students, while the Town of Espanola will generously contribute snacks – reinforcing the spirit of community and a collective commitment to reconciliation.

Jean Hanson Public School
Students at Jean Hanson Public School will wear orange on Tuesday, September 30th to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day. Wearing orange symbolizes the intergenerational impacts of residential schools on individuals, Survivors, families and communities. Classes will work together to create a large collaborative banner to demonstrate their commitment to truth and reconciliation. This banner will be proudly displayed outside the school.

Lansdowne Public School 
Staff and students from Lansdowne Public School are continuing to learn about the impacts of the residential school system through teachings and readings. The entire school will honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day with a week of learning and reflection. Each day from September 29th to October 3rd, students will take part in actions that highlight Indigenous culture, history and traditions. Monday will be Indigenous Apparel Day followed by Orange Shirt Day on Tuesday. On Wednesday, students will explore Indigenous art, while Thursday will feature bracelet making. The week will conclude on Friday with a schoolwide Indigenous Music Day in a show of community and remembrance.

Larchwood Public School
Larchwood Public School will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with various 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. Primary classes will read Phyllis’ Orange Shirt followed by age-appropriate discussions about how it made them feel and how we can all be supportive. Students in Grades 4/5 will create art inspired by Norval Morrisseau – an Indigenous Canadian artist from the Sand Point Ojibwe reserve. Students will learn about his early life, including his experiences with residential schools, and explore his unique use of colour, line and symbolic imagery. Students will then create their own pieces using these elements. Students will write affirmations on feathers for the Kindness Wall to promote empathy and reinforce the message that every child matters.

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 announcements, readings and class discussions to raise awareness about the individual, family and community intergenerational impacts of residential schools. On Tuesday, September 30th, all students and staff are encouraged to wear orange.

Lasalle Secondary School
Lasalle Secondary School will showcase their commitment to truth and reconciliation through meaningful learning opportunities that will honour residential school Survivors. Students learned about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, particularly those connected to education. In line with Call to Action No. 62, school staff, alongside the Indigenous Support Worker, will bring community voices into the classroom. On Tuesday, September 30th, a guest speaker will visit with classes to facilitate a Sharing Circle followed by a cultural craft. To further deepen understanding, three books by Phyllis Webstad will be read aloud including “Every Child Matters”, “Phyllis’s Orange Shirt”, and “With Our Orange Hearts”. Students will contribute to a collective poster. Leading up to Orange Shirt Day, staff and students will engage in daily morning reflections, guided readings and discussions.

Levack Public School
Levack Public School’s Grade 7 and 8 students will lead an Orange Shirt Field Day for the school community on Tuesday, September 30th. The event will highlight activities inspired by Indigenous traditions drawn from Indigenous Games for Children – a resource compiled and distributed by High Five. This initiative will be held in recognition of Orange Shirt Day, a time to honour the experiences of residential school Survivors, remember the children who never returned home, and reaffirm the commitment to reconciliation. Through active participation, students will engage in meaningful learning while developing important skills such as agility, endurance, hand-eye coordination and teamwork, while fostering a sense of community and respect. Students will also reflect on why we wear orange and will hear the residential school history from a guest speaker.

Little Current Public School
Staff and students at Little Current Public School are encouraged to wear orange shirts on Tuesday, September 30th to recognize the important role we must all play in truth and reconciliation. Through various art, literacy and historical lessons, students will learn about individual, family and community impacts of the residential school system locally and nationally.

Lockerby Composite School
Throughout the week, staff and students from Lockerby Composite School will reflect upon and acknowledge the history and lasting impacts of residential schools. On Tuesday, September 30th, the school community is invited to wear orange to honour residential school Survivors and the children who never made it home. To encourage moments of reflection, orange ribbons will be prepared and distributed by members of the Student Council. Classes will engage in various lessons, readings and discussions about truth and reconciliation including “The Legend of the Three Sisters”. To signify their commitment, the entire school community is invited to take part in beading projects during lunch.

MacLeod Public School
For the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the entire MacLeod Public School community will come together to learn, reflect, and honour Indigenous voices and experiences. Classrooms will engage in age-appropriate lessons, including the story of Phyllis Webstad and the meaning behind Orange Shirt Day. Older students will deepen their understanding of the history of residential schools in Canada and their lasting impact on Indigenous communities. Throughout the day, students will also hear read alouds that celebrate and honour Indigenous culture and stories.

Manitoulin Secondary School
Manitoulin Secondary School will recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with the much anticipated arrival of the HMCS Margaret Brooke, a new Royal Canadian Naval Ship. This ship will be stopping near the school as part of its Great Lakes Tour. The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario will be on board, coming on shore to meet sea cadets (some of whom are Manitoulin Secondary School students) and civilians, and then to participate in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation ceremonies on Manitoulin Island. Students will gather in the auditorium for assemblies and reflection for a portion of the morning and the afternoon. A banner developed by students in the Three Fires resource area will lead the way during a walk around the school up onto the athletic field.

Monetville Public School
On Thursday, September 25th, students of Monetville Public School participated in House Families to engage in various lessons and learnings connected to the history and truths of Indigenous peoples. Ozzie Osawamick, Cultural Leader for Rainbow District School Board, will visit with students in Grades 4 to 6 to discuss The Seven Grandfather Teachings. Students and staff will wear orange on Tuesday, September 30th to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. 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.

Princess Anne Public School
Students and staff at Princess Anne Public School from Kindergarten to Grade 6 will gather for an assembly to learn about the meaning and importance of Orange Shirt Day. Following the assembly, each grade will contribute words of inspiration and understanding on large orange banners. These banners will be connected to symbolize the collective commitment to truth and reconciliation. Grade 7 and 8 students will attend the National Truth and Reconciliation Day event at Bell Park where they will engage in lessons and teachings focused on Indigenous culture and the history of residential schools.

Queen Elizabeth II Public School
On Tuesday, September 30th, students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 will gather in the gym for an assembly to deepen their collective support for residential school Survivors and further their understanding of the ongoing impact of Canada’s residential school system. Students will also participate in age-appropriate classroom-based activities and discussions. All staff and students are encouraged to wear orange.

R.H. Murray Public School
To commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the entire school community is invited to wear orange on Tuesday, September 30th. Students in all grades will learn about the experiences of residential school Survivors. Each student will write a message of hope for Survivors and their families on an orange hand. These messages will be placed on tree branches in the school‘s foyer.

R.L. Beattie Public School
Students and staff from R.L. Beattie Public School will wear orange to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This small gesture will raise awareness about the intergenerational impacts of residential schools on individuals, families and communities. Conversations and learning opportunities will take place in all classes about how we can heal as a nation – as we honour, respect and reflect together.

Redwood Acres Public School
At Redwood Acres Public School, the entire school community is invited to wear an orange shirt in support of residential school Survivors on Tuesday, September 30th. The day will commence with a moment of silence in remembrance of the children that did not make it home from residential schools. Educators will read the book “With our Orange Hearts” by Phyllis Webstad to students, and will also engage in age-appropriate conversations about how we can work together towards truth and reconciliation. An “Every Child Matters” banner will be on display in the school to remind us of the importance of this day. Students are invited to add orange hearts with messages of hope and reflection throughout the day.

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 to 3 will read “With Our Orange Hearts” by Phyllis Webstad and “Shi-Shi-etko” by Nicola I. Campbell. Students will also create a collaborative art piece to promote the message that we are all unique and we all matter. The Grade 3/4 class will share a reading about the importance of this day – to honour, acknowledge and encourage conversation about the impacts of residential schools. The Grade 5/6 class will read “I Am Not a Number” by Kathy Kacer and explore the story within the context of the global community and human rights. All students in Grades 3 to 8 will work on a collaborative art project inspired by the art of Hawlee Pichette “They Didn’t Know We Were Seeds”. Students will discuss the idea that, like plant seeds, people deserve the care required to feel seen, heard, supported and nurtured. This mindset can bring them closer to reconciliation and create harmony in their own lives. 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
The Valley View Public School community will honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation through classroom lessons, videos and meaningful dialogue about residential schools and Phyllis Webstad’s story. As part of our ongoing commitment to reconciliation, students and staff will collaborate to honour and maintain the Unity Garden – a space that reflects the teachings of the medicine wheel and respects local First Nations traditions. This garden symbolizes our shared commitment to fostering a safe, welcoming and inclusive learning environment for all. Grade 8 students will take part in a cultural reclamation and education event at Bell Park. Everyone is encouraged to wear orange to recognize the lasting and intergenerational impact of residential schools.

Walden Public School
Staff and students at Walden Public School will open the school’s new medicine wheel the week of September 29th. Indigenous Support Worker Hazel Fox-Recollet will be on site to teach the significance of the medicine wheel. On Tuesday, September 30th, staff and students are encouraged to wear orange shirts to recognize the important role we must all play in truth and reconciliation. Through various art, literacy and historical lessons, students will learn about individual, family and community impacts of the residential school system locally and nationally. Learning will extend well beyond the week as we continue our commitment to understanding.

Westmount Avenue Public School
A special project will begin at Westmount Avenue Public School on Tuesday, September 30th with the installation of an orange heart on the schoolyard fence to acknowledge that every child matters. In classes, students will also hear readings of the book “With our Orange Hearts” by Phyllis Webstad.

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