The St. Clair Catholic District School Board is providing first-hand age-appropriate learning opportunities across K-12 classrooms, for students, staff and parents during National Truth and Reconciliation Week, beginning Monday, September 27.  Some learning sessions began on September 21 with youth motivational speaker Theland Kicknosway, Bkejwanong Territory.  Theland inspires youth to take action and create change.

Staff and parents have an opportunity to learn from Jenny Kay Dupuis, author of I Am Not a Number and from Biindigaygizhig, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, as a continuation of learning about the impacts of the residential school system and the role each of us has to support youth in learning the truth. You can register for the September 28 event here.

Classroom, staff and parent sessions continue throughout the week of September 27, including the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, which is also known as Orange Shirt Day. Students and staff will wear orange, learn from survivors and family members of survivors, help to raise awareness and discuss ways to ensure this never happens again.

“The acknowledgement of Truth and Reconciliation Week and all the planned activities provide opportunities for schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for future generations,” says Deb Crawford, Director of Education.  “St. Clair Catholic has a history of bringing first hand-learning to communities across the system, in keeping with the Calls to Action outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, as we deepen our relationships with Indigenous partners.”

For more information, visit the Board website.