By Nikitha Fester (she/her), BCTF staff
On September 30, 2024, Canada will mark the third National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as well as Orange Shirt Day. Truth and Reconciliation Day acknowledges and honours the Indigenous children who never returned home from residential schools, those who survived, and the families and communities affected.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led, grass-roots commemorative day with the focus of raising awareness around the intergenerational impacts of residential schools and promoting the concept that “Every Child Matters.”
The events that occur leading up to and on these days provide a powerful opportunity for all of us to be witnesses. In many Indigenous cultures, witnessing is an important way that knowledge is remembered and passed on. When we listen to stories from/about residential schools, we are witnessing a part of Canada’s history. This allows us to understand our relationship to Canadian history, colonialism, and Indigenous Peoples.
Lesson plan
Part 1
Explain to your students where Truth and Reconciliation Day and Orange Shirt Day come from.
You can read the history of Orange Shirt Day and Phyllis Webstad (orangeshirtday.org).
You can read about the genesis of Truth and Reconciliation Day.
Explain to students what witnessing means. If time allows, collaborate with the Aboriginal enhancement teacher (or similar role), to develop an age-appropriate lesson or explanation over this concept.
Share with your class that together you will participate in one/several events to honour Truth and Reconciliation Day.
Some online event options
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has online programming, including a Youth Empowerment Gathering. (Visit trw-svr.nctr.ca and select the “Virtual Program” menu.) Please note these events require preregistration and may only be available on certain days and specific times.
Encourage your students to attend events that are occurring in their communities and continue their learning.
Part 2
Determine how you would like your students to share back their learning: in journaling, drawing, discussion, or a combination.
Have students report back on the following:
What did you witness?
information (things you learned)
feelings (emotions you saw, felt)
Why is this learning important?
What are you curious about? Where will you get answers to your questions?
Part 3
As a class, determine how you will share what you’ve learned with your school community. Some options are:
school display (library, hallways)
posters
minipresentations to other classes.
Extensions
Elementary
Explain to students the significance of the eagle in Indigenous cultures.
Then explain to students they will draw or write their hopes about reconciliation on a paper eagle feather.
Have students share what they wrote and drew with the class and hang the feathers in the classroom.
Teacher tips
Check in with the Aboriginal enhancement teacher at your school or ask the librarian to pull sources if you’re not familiar with the importance of the eagle for Indigenous Peoples.
This activity can easily be done in French or other languages.
Materials needed
feather template and photocopies
art/colouring supplies
string and tape for hanging.
Secondary
Listen to the poem “Thank You for the Real Estate” available in the BCTF anti-racism training course, From Awareness to Action. Go through the discussion questions with students or in small groups.
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