On Friday, September 29, the High Prairie School Division will wear orange in honour of the Survivors of Canada's residential schools and the thousands of children whose lives were tragically taken; who never came home.
Originating in 2013, Orange Shirt Day was inspired by the personal childhood experience of Phyllis Webstad, a woman of mixed Secwepemc and Irish/French heritage, born in Dog Creek, BC. This day was created as an opportunity to discuss the effects of residential schools and their legacy. It honours the experiences of Indigenous Peoples, celebrates resilience and affirms a commitment that every child matters. In June 2021, the government of Canada passed Bill C-5 to make September 30 a federal statutory day, known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Last fall, the Division held a design competition to create a unique logo for 2022’s orange t-shirts. The winner was Terelle Supernault, an E.W. Pratt High School student from East Prairie Métis Settlement. Many staff and students purchased custom-made shirts from Nish Tees, a company owned by Indigenous Canadian James Hodgson.
It is important to remember that residential schools operated in Canada for over 160 years, which has affected, and continues to affect, many generations of families.
Three schools in our own vicinity boarded hundreds of children who were, in many cases, forcibly removed from their families and communities:
- St. Bernard’s, a boarding school operated by Roman Catholic missionaries in Grouard, Alberta,
- St. Bruno’s, a boarding school operated by Roman Catholic missionaries in Joussard, Alberta,
- St. Peter’s, a boarding school operated by Anglican missionaries at Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta,
- St. John's, a boarding school operated by Anglican missionaries at Lake Wabasca, Alberta,
- St. Martin's, a boarding school operated by Roman Catholic missionaries at Wabasca-Desmarais.
Learning Canada's true history is a critical first step in reconciliation. As we continue to heal and move forward together, these are some ways that we can individually take an active role:
- Deepen our knowledge of Canada's history by reading and sharing,
- Read and acknowledge the 94 calls to action, which are an appeal by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada to make concrete changes in society.
As shared by Indigenous Influencer Kendra Rosychuk with HPSD's Youth Council for Reconciliation (YCR), students have an important role in the reconciliation process:
"As a young person, you hold power and value. You are our future leaders, decision-makers, and policy-makers. It is up to you to start demanding things and putting pressure on for changes to be made. You have to be the change that you want to see."
HPSD's Indigenous Education Coach Sharon Gauchier shares with her Indigenous students, "You being here and being alive is resilience. You are still here." Sharon also encourages us to take a moment to ask ourselves what Truth and Reconciliation means to us in our own personal lives?
It is important to remember that this can be a difficult and distressing time for many community members, and we can help by holding space and extending understanding and empathy to one another.
The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour crisis support to former residential school Survivors and their families free of charge at 1-866-925-4419.
For more information on Canada’s residential schools, go to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at nctr.ca.