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Truth and Reconciliation Week begins by raising the Survivors’ flag

September 26, 2022

Survivors_flag_newsitem.pngThe St. James-Assiniboia School Division marks the beginning of Truth and Reconciliation Week (TRW) by raising the Survivors' flag.

TRW is a national educational program for grades 1 to 12 spearheaded by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

The flag is a complex piece of artwork that was created with input from Survivors from across Canada. According to the NCTR website, each element of the flag was carefully selected by Survivors, and includes important references to different First Nations, Inuit and Métis traditions as well as the impact of residential schools.

April Waters is the SJASD Administrator of Indigenous Academic & Community Support. “We really wanted to fly the Survivors' flag in our Division to help communicate our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation in our schools and our communities. It's a way to honour Survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada," she said.

The Indigenous Education Team secured approval from the Board of Trustees to purchase six flags to fly annually during Truth and Reconciliation Week at the Board Office and five high schools.

We encourage our school community to learn more about the meanings attached to the imagery in the flag.

Remembering the Children

The theme for TRW 2022 is “Remembering the Children," and focuses on memorializing the children lost to the residential school system and honouring Survivors and their families.

Waters says schools will be undertaking extensive programming throughout the week—from school-wide assemblies to classroom lessons, hearing from Survivors and their families, smudging, teachings from Knowledge Keepers, walks, online activities and events, memorial art projects, beading, library resources, story telling and discussions.

“Each school has developed their own distinct programming. But the Indigenous Education Team has also provided schools with supports, weaving important themes throughout, including connecting to the land, the importance of treaties, and honouring Survivors of residential schools," said Waters.

Orange Shirt Day

On Thursday, September 29, schools will recognize Orange Shirt Day—a day ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, September 30. Schools across the province are closed on Friday to observe the new federal statutory holiday, now into its second year.

“Staff and students will be wearing orange shirts to reaffirm that Every Child Matters and recognize the students who were lost and did not return from residential schools. It is essential that all of our students learn about history, and it can be done in a developmentally appropriate way," said Waters.

Some schools will be recounting the story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, whose shiny new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, was taken from her as a six-year old girl on her first day of residential school in the early 1970s.  

Students at École Robert Browning will gather to plant orange flowers on the front lawn. Bruce Middle School students will hear from Pauline Day, a daughter of Elder Isobel Day, a residential school Survivor. Students at Westwood Collegiate will honour the children that did not come home with a ribbon and names activity. The Manitoba Remote Learning Support Centre will live-stream Truth and Reconciliation Week's inaugural live program “Gidinawendimin – We Are All Related."

“While this week is a solemn reminder of the history and intergenerational trauma of the residential school system in Canada, it is also an opportunity for all of our students and educators to grapple with these truths. Reconciliation requires action, and our schools will engage through learnings, stories, discussions and group activities," said Waters.

For more information on school activities this week, contact school administrators and/or follow school social media accounts.

 

For residential school Survivors and their family members that may need support at this time, consider contacting the National Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419. SJASD students that need support can contact their school guidance counsellors or Educational Support Services.


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