UCDSB Schools Prepare to Mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Through Learning and Reflection

Brockville – Ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on September 30, schools across the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) are creating opportunities for students to learn, reflect and take meaningful action as part of their ongoing learning about Indigenous histories, cultures and reconciliation.

All staff and students are encouraged to wear orange shirts as a powerful symbol of remembrance and solidarity. Wearing orange reflects our commitment to listen, learn and engage in meaningful conversation about the truths of our shared history, raise awareness about residential schools and continue to dialogue around reconciliation.

“September 30 is a day for our school communities to come together, reflect, and continue learning from the truths of our shared history,” says UCDSB Chair Jamie Schoular. “By listening to Indigenous voices and deepening our understanding, we strengthen our commitment to meaningful reconciliation, both on September 30 and throughout the year.”

UCDSB schools have been provided with learning resources and classroom activities to support learning on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. Students in Grades 5-12 will also have the opportunity to take part in a virtual presentation, “Truth and Reconciliation and Lived Experiences with Tammy and Bernard Nelson.”

The Nelsons follow the Seven Grandfather Teachings and describe their way of life as “Walking the Red Road.” Through cultural awareness, storytelling, singing, drumming, traditional dancing and crafting, they will share their knowledge and lived experiences while helping students deepen their understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, teachings and contemporary experiences.

Schools are also building on this learning through activities in their classrooms and communities.

Some examples include:

Arklan Community Public School: Grade 3-4 students created a small stone garden at the Carleton Place Public Library, featuring orange stones painted by the students. Community members are encouraged to visit the garden, pause and reflect on their own thoughts, feelings and actions toward reconciliation. Visitors can take home one of the students’ stones or add their own orange stone to the garden. (Watch the video).

The Queen Elizabeth School: Grade 6 students are leading a school-wide collaborative art project, inviting every student to add a painted handprint to a mural at the front of the school. Together, the handprints create a visual representation of the Every Child Matters message and provide an opportunity for students to reflect on the experiences of children who attended residential schools.

Rideau Vista Public School: Students will walk to Lockwood Park in Westport on September 30 to take part in a community event featuring hoop dancing, an Indigenous DJ and a variety of other activities.

Rockland Public School: Grade 5-6 students will take part in The Walk of Sorrow at 1:00 p.m. on September 30, participating in teachings before walking together in silence to Parc du Moulin. There, students will honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and residential school victims and survivors through ceremony, music, dance, workshops and education.

Thousand Islands Secondary School: Leading up to Orange Shirt Day, students in Nicki Longtin’s Indigenous Art and English classes are sharing their learning by teaching other students how to make Indigenous bracelets, which they can wear on September 30.

“Education has an important role to play in reconciliation, and that starts by providing students with opportunities to learn about the truths of our shared history and hear Indigenous perspectives and experiences,” says UCDSB Chief Education Officer Shelley Riddell. “The learning taking place across our schools helps students build greater understanding and encourages them to reflect on how they can contribute to reconciliation in their own communities.”