Students and staff across the Upper Canada District School Board wore orange on September 30 as symbol of support for residential school survivors, and to openly share their continued commitment listen, learn, and engage in meaningful conversations about the truths of our shared history.
All schools engaged in activities on September 30 that extended their learning about Indigenous culture and Reconciliation. Here are some examples of the activities that staff and students took part in:
Kemptville Public School, Oxford-on-Rideau Public School, and South Branch Elementary School joined the North Grenville’s Indigenous Advisory Circle for a ceremony for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Mino-jichaag-mtigwaaki, an Indigenous forest space in the Ferguson Forest Centre Arboretum.
The event featured powerful speakers, a ceremonial fire, and hands-on learning where students made tobacco ties in honour of Indigenous traditions.
Students from Thousand Islands Elementary School gathered for an assembly at their school where they watched a video on the history of the Haudenosaunee people.
Classes then went outside where they met in small groups, in nature, to share Indigenous picture books.
Front of Yonge Elementary School students and staff participated in the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation flag raising and ceremony at Mallorytown Park.
Students in Grades 2–6 took part by sharing their school’s Land Acknowledgement and offering meaningful ways to participate in Truth and Reconciliation. The group also learned from Bill Montgomery, UCDSB Indigenous Education System Support Teacher, who shared knowledge and reflections on the importance of the day.
The UCDBS also hosted guest speaker Ryan McMahon virtually, for students in Grades 7-12 across the district. His stories, humour, and honesty gave all attendee much to reflect on, with his key messages being: the importance of truth-telling — acknowledging colonization and the legacy of residential schools — and that reconciliation cannot be a “soft place to land.” It requires courage, accountability, and action.
We are grateful for the wisdom and insight that all our guests and speakers shared. This knowledge helps to deepen student understanding of the importance of knowing historical truths and the importance for moving forward with reconciliation in a positive and collaborative way.