News Release
9/26/2018
Aurora, ON – York Region District School Board schools are honouring the bravery and resiliency of residential school survivors in recognition of Orange Shirt Day. Schools throughout the Board will engage in inquiry projects, activities and assemblies and will host guest speakers in the spirit of reconciliation and to build on student understanding of colonialism and the impact of residential schools.
“At York Region District School Board we are championing equity and inclusivity to build a collective understanding of the ongoing impact of colonialism on Indigenous Communities,” said Louise Sirisko, Director of Education “By recognizing Orange Shirt Day, we hope to engage in meaningful discussions and contribute to the process of reconciliation.”
“As educators we have a responsibility to teach and acknowledge the truth of our collective history and address the Truth & Reconciliation Calls to Action,” said Towana Brooks, Curriculum Advisor - First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education “Honouring Orange Shirt Day through action and truth leads us one step closer to reconciliation.”
October 11, 2018 - Grade 6-8 students will hear from Mohawk Institute residential school survivor, Karen Hill, and descendent of residential school survivor, Claudine Van Every-Albert.
October 1, 2018 - Buttonville P.S. students will take part in a student created and led assembly and will hear from residential school survivors on their experiences. They will also share knowledge with the students about traditional medicine.
September 28, 2018 - Students will engage in raising awareness of the effects of the residential school system by creating a collaborative school display, engaging in learning about the story of Phyllis Webstad and by fundraising for Gord Downie and the Chanie Wenjak Fund.
October 1, 2018 - The YRDSB First Nation Metis and Inuit team will involve students from Grade 5-8 in the Blanket Activity to learn more about the impact of colonization and residential schools.
September 28, 2018 - Lakeside P.S. students will engage in a year long school-wide inquiry project on what the land means to them. The inquiry project will begin with an assembly on September 28, 2018 exploring the meaning of land acknowledgments.
York Region District School Board is the third largest school district in Ontario with over 124,000 students in 178 elementary schools and 33 secondary schools. York Region students consistently perform above average in provincial testing and the Board is one of the top achievers in Ontario. For more information about the York Region District School Board, please visit the Board website and follow @YRDSB on Twitter.
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