As part of the activities and learning for the "National Day for Truth & Reconciliation", WRPS staff and students wore their orange shirts to honour residential school survivors, their families, and those who never made it home.
In the spirit of reconciliation, the combined effort to wear our orange shirts promotes the message that Every Child Matters in a united front. Wearing our orange shirts is also representative of a commitment to anti-racism and anti-bullying in general.
Traditionally, September 30 was designated as Orange Shirt Day. Given our schools are closed on September 30 to commemorate the "National Day for Truth and Reconciliation", staff and students wore their orange shirts throughout the week, combining that with various activities relating to the
For more information on Orange Shirt Day, please visit their website.
On September 30, we encourage families to reflect with one another to honour those who survived and those who did not return home. It is also important to reflect upon the unmarked graves of former Métis, Inuit and First Nations students that were recently discovered. Some activities that school staff are encouraging families to do on September 30 include a moment of reflection, a 2.15 km walk to represent the initial 215 unmarked graves that were located at the former residential school in Kamloops, attending one of the online events through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, or discussing what the 94 Calls to Action mean for each one of us. All WRPS flags will be lowered in honour of this important day.
Centennial School shared their activities this week: Monday - coloring orange shirts activity; Tuesday - ribbon tying along the fence, class by class to tie 139 orange ribbons recognizing the 139 residential schools across Canada; Wednesday -Wenjack Walk / orange shirt day; Thursday - National Day of Recognition; Friday - "Capture the Heart" tile project.
What are you doing to recognize the process of reconciliation on September 30? Share your ideas with us by commenting on our social media posts.
