Across the St. Clair Catholic District School Board, we honour survivors of residential schools, their families, the children who never made it home, and all those impacted by residential schools. In preparation for next week’s learning, students are hearing directly from Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Survivors, and their family members.

This year marks the 12th anniversary of Orange Shirt Day nationwide. The 2025 theme for Orange Shirt Week is Taking Truth to Action.

On Monday, September 22, youth will participate in a sacred fire where they will learn about the intergenerational impacts of residential schools with Cedric, Sandra, Leighann Isaac, and Neva Isaac-Sands of Bkejwanong Territory. Classrooms will also learn from Biindigegiizhig of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation about the legacy of residential schools and what actions youth can take to raise awareness, as well as from Derek Sands of Bkejwanong Territory on how film can be a medium to move truth into action.

Indigenous Youth Leaders, Kidwin Zhiingwaak (“Voice of the Pines”), at Ursuline College Chatham have been creating gifts for residential school survivors as they prepare to participate in a Healing Walk for Survivors in downtown Wallaceburg on September 30. The walk is hosted by Walpole Island Employment and Training in partnership with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Department. Youth from Ursuline College Chatham, Christ the King, Holy Family, and St. Elizabeth Catholic Schools will all participate.

At St. Patrick’s Catholic High School, Indigenous Youth Leaders, E-maadookiiwag (“The Ones Who Share”), have been working with Anishinaabe artist Cedric Isaac of Bkejwanong Territory to frame the Residential Schools Art Installation in preparation for Orange Shirt Week. Intermediate students at St. Joseph Catholic School, Tilbury, have created a play based on David Robertson’s newest book Little Shoes. They will present the play to their school on the morning of Orange Shirt Day, followed by a special invitational screening in the afternoon.

Every St. Clair Catholic school and office will raise Every Child Matters flags, created by Cedric Isaac of Bkejwanong Territory, beginning Monday, September 29 through October 5, as we stand together in solidarity.

Throughout Orange Shirt Week, students across the system (K–12) will engage in developmentally appropriate learning about the legacy of residential schools and the intergenerational wisdom of Indigenous Peoples. On September 30, staff and students will wear orange in solidarity.

In partnership with Knowledge Carriers and Elders, we will learn firsthand from traditional knowledge systems that were devalued and minimized through colonial practices. Students will hear stories from Survivors and their families, remember those who never made it home, and explore how the next generation can promote and uplift Indigenous languages, identity, belonging, and culture.

Learning across classrooms will include:

• Music and sharing experiences as well as impacts about residential schools with Cedric, Sandra, and Leighann Isaac of Bkejwanong Territory.
• Family stories of intergenerational impacts from Neva Isaac-Sands of Bkejwanong Territory and Steve Tooshkenig of Bkejwanong Territory.
• Storytelling with Librarian Lynda Lou Classens of Bkejwanong Territory.
• Sharing through music and story with Herb Snake of Eelünaapéewi Lahkéewiit.
• A screening of Return of the Spirit Horses (2025) by Indigenous filmmaker Derek Sands of Bkejwanong Territory, joined by his father Bill Sands (a residential school survivor) and the Isaac family, who will share about using film as a tool for truth and action.
• Presentations by former NHL player Jason Simon of Aamjiwnaang First Nation, who will share his story as an intergenerational survivor and inspire students to focus on resilience, determination, and reaching their goals.
• An Art-to-Inspire-Action painting series with Anishinaabe artist Moses Lunham of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, where students will create Truth and Reconciliation-inspired paintings to raise awareness.

On Orange Shirt Day, September 30, youth and community members will come together in downtown Wallaceburg for a Healing Walk and Gathering, hosted by Walpole Island Employment and Training in partnership with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Department.

As a community, we continue to learn the history and truth directly from Survivors and their families—stories of resilience, gifts, and heroes—as we reflect on how to take meaningful action toward reconciliation.

Please visit the SCCDSB Indigenous Education website for resources.