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.

Available in both English and French:

Can be accessed through the K-9 Treaty Education Learning Resource link on the Saskatchewan curriculum website or at www.reconciliation.edonline.sk.ca.

• Elementary Cree Clubs
• Cree Classes at E.S. Laird Middle School
• Cree 10 at Lloydminster Comprehensive High School

This year we are piloting a new program intended for LPSD Grade 5-6 elementary and middle year students. The Sipwêpihȃw (take flight) Indigenous Student Mentorship Program, is designed to connect First Nations, Métis and Inuit students within Lloydminster Public School Division. Our goal is to use culturally based programming to engage Indigenous youth in leadership roles and provide opportunities to reconnect with their traditional cultural identities. We have been running this program for a few years at Lloydminster Comprehensive High School and would like to extend an invitation to our younger LPSD students. We are able to customize yearly mentoring programs based on potential students needs. Our high school mentors are very passionate and excited to share this opportunity with you.

The objectives of the Indigenous Mentoring Program are to:

• Providing students with a sense of belonging while developing a stronger connectedness to self, peers and society.
• Provide students with traditional teachings and language through
  culture with Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers.    
• Provide a Mentor and role model for the new student
• Assist students in developing their academic potential while
  engaged in the learning process and encouraging pursuit of high education

Small Fires Gathering 2.0

Strengthening Your Path sôhkâskohtâ kimêskanâs

“Strengthening Your Path” is a reconciliation project driven by Lloydminster Public School Division (LPSD) students. Students will collaborate with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to learn about the history of Lloydminster from a First Nations and Métis perspective."

Reconciliation Resources for Teachers - Click Here to for a List