ST. PAUL – Observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation or Orange Shirt Day has become an annual tradition for many schools within St. Paul Education.
This year, as part of the school division’s plan for Truth and Reconciliation, all schools planned out Orange Shirt Day ceremonies for students and staff during the week leading up to Sept. 30, said Keith Gamblin, assistant superintendent at St. Paul Education.
Most schools will be doing their ceremonies on Sept. 29.
“Our schools will be doing age-appropriate teachings around residential schools... leading up to their ceremonies,” said Gamblin. These teachings involve talking about the impact and legacy of residential schools.
At École Racette Junior High School, for example, there will be a short presentation from an elder. The presentation will involve a walk around the school yard in support of residential school survivors. “At the end of the walk on the southeast side of the schoolyard, students will tie orange ribbons onto the fence,” said Gamblin.
“It's important for kids to learn about our history... all aspects of our history,” said Gamblin, adding a third of students in the school division identify as First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI).
“Residential schools impacted all of us... especially our Indigenous students and families.”
The residential school system is an important piece of history, and learning about this history is important toward building “a better future for all our students,” said Gamblin.
