Truth & Reconciliation Week 2023

Truth & Reconciliation Week held immense significance for our school district. On the 25th, we unveiled our new name, “qathet School District”, and explored its meaning and pronunciation. On the 26th, we marked another significant milestone by launching the t̓išosəm ʔayʔajuθəm (ayajuthem) Immersion pilot program in our elementary schools, emphasizing our commitment to Indigenize our educational system and contribute to the revival of Indigenous languages.

All district schools acknowledged Truth & Reconciliation by wearing orange shirts, while also paying tribute in their own unique ways:

• Westview Elementary engaged in meaningful talking circles and daily Indigenous book readings, featuring titles like "Phyllis Orange Shirt," "Shi-shi-etko," "When I Was Eight," "Stolen Words," and "Not My Girl." 

• Kelly Creek did a heart installation at the front of the school, classrooms were told age-appropriate stories and lessons were taught surrounding the ayajuthem names of organisms that have been key for survival in our local eco systems. 

• Students at Henderson Elementary wrote love letters of hope for future generations, and participated in a hand print painting activity. Each student contributed ten handprints, with each handprint symbolizing 150 children, reflecting the size of Henderson Elementary. This impactful exercise served as a visual representation of the significant number, 150,000, representing the estimated number of children who had endured the residential school system.

• Partners In Education offered online lantern making and ayajuthem lessons, and an in-person recognition at their Welcome Picnic. Additionally, their grade 2 through 10 students gathered for a land acknowledgement and moment of contemplation on Bowen Island. There, they shared cedar tea, read and discussed “Phyllis’s Orange Shirt”, and created a forest mandala of natural materials.

• Classes in Brooks Secondary engaged with the lessons led by National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation and participated in district name change activities.

• James Thomson hosted an assembly, participated in a drumming circle, and had a school-wide walk. Moreover, several bulletin boards recognizing Truth & Reconciliation got made by classrooms and a display is about to be made on the school fence.

• Edgehill Elementary fostered cultural connection by participating in a drumming circle, singing Indigenous songs, and honouring Tla’amin land by walking through a beautiful trail located just behind the school. 

• Texada launched a “What’s In a Name” discussion to introduce the district name change, wore orange pins throughout the week, explored books in the library for the younger students while older students watched videos from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, and everyone decorated hearts and created a heart garden in their outdoor garden space.

Thank you to our wonderful schools, staff, and students for taking the time to reflect and learn. Every child matters. 🧡