Honouring Truth and Reconciliation Across Our Schools 

Today, schools across qathet School District recognized the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

All students and staff were invited to wear orange and participate in learning and reflection through a variety of activities, including cultural teachings, music and drumming, reflection circles, classroom conversations, assemblies, and creative projects. From welcoming special guests and school-wide assemblies to creating collaborative classroom artwork, making clay paddles, singing songs, creating visual displays, and making personal commitments, each of these activities created opportunities to honour the children who were taken to residential schools and never returned home, recognize the strength and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, families, and communities, and reflect on the ongoing work of Truth and Reconciliation.

Here are some of the ways that each school marked the day: 

• At James Thomson Elementary, students have started working with their ce̓pθən to create two small clay paddles each. Students have been invited to gift one of their paddles to the school, where they will all be displayed in the hallway as a symbol of the school community working together to become stronger and more connected.
• At Henderson Elementary, students and staff gathered outside in a circle for drumming and singing, including the Salish Anthem and Children’s Blessing Song. 
• Over at Kelly Creek Community School, students also gathered on the field for drumming and singing, followed by a special performance from the Intermediate Choir.
• At Edgehill Elementary, students took part in a school-wide assembly and had the honour of welcoming members of the Tla’amin Nation community, including local carver Sherman Pallen, a member of the Homalco First Nation who moved to Tla’amin territory after marrying into the community. Sherman shared the story behind the beautiful Spindle Whorl carving he created as part of the school’s expansion (more on this to come!), giving students an opportunity to learn more about the artwork and its connection to their school.
• At Westview Elementary, students worked together on a collaborative art project, creating artwork, messages, affirmations, commitments, and symbols representing belonging, kindness, respect, listening, learning, and community. Their contributions will be brought together into one large artwork that the school community can revisit for years to come.
• At Brooks Secondary, students and staff shared classroom learning and resources, created Every Child Matters displays, and reflected on personal commitments to reconciliation, which were displayed throughout the school.
• At Texada Elementary, students and staff marked the day by wearing orange and students worked on orange shirt art projects.
• At Partners In Education, students and families were invited to join an online asynchronous assembly, giving families the flexibility to take part in the learning when it worked for them.