Surrey Schools marks National Day for Truth & Reconciliation with learning and contribution
This year's Orange Shirt Day designs were done by M.B. Sanford Elementary student Macallie Sparvier and former Surrey Schools student and Semiahmoo First Nations artist Bre Willoughby.
Surrey Schools resides on the traditional, unceded and shared territories of Coast Salish peoples: the Katzie (q̓íc̓əy̓), Kwantlen (q̓ʷa:n̓ƛ̓ən̓) and Semiahmoo (SEMYOME) First Nations.
Tomorrow is the sixth annual National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, a day to remember the children who never came home from residential schools, honour survivors, their families and communities, and reflect on the 94 Calls to Action released by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada 11 years ago.
With schools closed for the Sept. 30 statutory holiday, students and staff across Surrey and White Rock are spending this week learning, reflecting and coming together. Here is how some of our schools marked the occasion:
👕 Orange Shirt Day
Today students and staff across the district are wearing orange shirts to remember the children lost to residential schools and to honour survivors. Orange Shirt Day began with survivor Phyllis Webstad's story of having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day at residential school.
This year, the district has two designs featured: One by M.B. Sanford Elementary Grade 6 student Macallie Sparvier and the other by Semiahmoo First Nation artist and former Surrey Schools student Bre Willoughby.
🧡 A Day of Truth and a Day of Reconciliation at École Salish Secondary
École Salish Secondary is holding two days of recognition this week: a Day of Truth on Monday and a Day of Reconciliation on Tuesday. The school's HOWL (Honour, Observe, Wonder, Learn) Committee, a group of Salish educators, designed and are leading a range of learning opportunities for students and staff.
Over the two days, students are exploring Indigenous history, culture and reconciliation through experiential learning:
- Exploring large-scale maps showing the 202 First Nations in British Columbia, the 634 First Nations across Canada, and treaty lands
- Learning about traditional teas, Indigenous art, music and storytelling
- Taking part in circle sharing
- Discovering the 94 Calls to Action and discussing how students can contribute to reconciliation in their own ways
- Exploring the role of trickster figures in Indigenous stories and literature
- Viewing meaningful artifacts and objects shared by staff and students
- Beading and smudging ceremonies
Salish also welcomed students from Regent Road Elementary, who themselves will attend Salish in the future. The school hopes to build on the event in future years by including more schools from its catchment area.
🛹 Skateboarding and storytelling at Fraser Heights Secondary
Fraser Heights Secondary students will hear from Rosie Archie of Nations Skate Youth, who spoke about her career in skateboarding, her work with the non-profit and her collaborations across the skate industry.
Nations Skate Youth was co-founded by Joe Buffalo, a professional skateboarder and residential school survivor.
Alongside the presentations, the school is hosting a mini art exhibit featuring skateboards with Indigenous artwork and descriptions displayed throughout the building.
🌿 Reconciliation gardens and drumming in our elementary schools
At Brookside and George Vanier elementary schools, students from kindergarten to Grade 7 painted rocks to show what Truth and Reconciliation means to them. The rocks are being laid on cedar in new Truth and Reconciliation gardens, lasting reminders of students' reflections. At South Meridian Elementary, students will participate in a drumming circle led by a Semiahmoo First Nation community member.
