Children of residential schools are honoured annually on Orange Shirt Day. The campaign slogan - Every Child Matters - loosely translates to KIHCI-ITA-KIS-IW in Cree, which means All Living Things Matter. As part of First Nations culture, childhood is the foundation of our journey through life. Building a strong foundation is vital to the development of the person they will become. The translation of all living things matter honours the Cree holistic value that everything in life is sacred. Orange Shirt Day began to help spread awareness for children who attended residential schools. The orange shirt symbolizes these children having their identities stripped away. LPSD schools will be celebrating the culture and honouring the history through age-appropriate lesson and activities on September 28, 2018.
Orange Shirt Day Resources:
LPSD People:
Cheryl Thomas, Aboriginal Coordinator at cheryl.thomas@lpsd.ca
Denae Bruce, LCHS FNMI Coach/Teacher at denae.bruce@lpsd.ca
Books:
When I was Eight by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton
Speaking Our Truth: Journey of Reconciliation by Monique Gray Smith
Fatty Legs by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton
Stolen Words by Melanie Florence
When We Were Alone by David Alexander Robertson
A Day with Yayah by Nicola Campbell and Julie Flett
A Stranger at Home: A True Story by Christy Jordan-Fenton
They Called Me Number One: Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School by Bev Sellars
The Orange Shirt Story: Every Child Matters by Phyllis Webstad
Websites:
Orange Shirt Day Website
Residential School Stories - About 40 stories told by people who survived the residential schools
Interactive Residential School Map
Manitoba Teachers’ Society - Lesson plans and resources for all ages.
Videos:
Murray Sinclair: Truth and Reconciliation
Murray Sinclair discusses the Indian Residential School system in Canada and its impacts on those who attended the St. Joseph's Mission in Williams Lake and the First Nations of Canada. Video clips of events between May 16, 2013 Truth and Reconciliation Testimonial Gathering in Williams Lake BC and the Orange Shirt day held on Sept. 30, 2013.
St. Joseph’s Residential School Stories - Phyllis’ story
There are a great deal of stories that the Residential School has left in its wake, and most are not pleasant. The problem we have today is not many people know about what it was like. Jonathan Horst heard some of the stories from William Lake’s local school and discovered that it's not something that should be forgotten.
St. Joseph’s Residential School Commemoration Project
Very recently the Truth and Reconciliation Commission came to Williams Lake. Their arrival gave those affected by the Residential schools a place to share their experience and begin to heal. But this Commemoration project was unique, and Jonathan Horst of Williams Lake found out why.