The orange crosswalk unveiled along Martin Street in Milton (June 2022)
The Halton District School Board (HDSB) will be commemorating National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, September 29th.
The day is technically held on Saturday, September 30th, but with the day falling on a Saturday this year, the HDSB and individual schools will be honouring this important day with a number of acknowledgments and learning opportunities, in addition to lowering the Canadian flag at all schools and Board offices beginning on Friday. This year, the HDSB will raise the Survivors’ Flag at the J.W. Singleton Education Centre to honour residential school Survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada.
“The learning for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation goes beyond this one day,” says Jennie Petko, Superintendent of Education, with responsibility for Indigenous Rights and Education and the Human Rights, Equity and Inclusive Education Department. “It is the responsibility of the HDSB community to continue to listen, learn and reflect on the truths that survivors and voices from Indigenous communities share as we carry this learning forward.”
This day is recognized as Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Orange Shirt Day was inspired by the story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad’s experience on her first day at a residential school. Phyllis was a student at St. Joseph Mission Residential School in Williams Lake, B.C.
“In consultation with Indigenous community partners, the HDSB Indigenous Rights and Education team works with staff across the system to build informed knowledge and understanding to enable staff to examine and apply their learning to classroom and department practices.” adds Petko. “HDSB staff and students have been provided with resources and learning opportunities to help guide them in learning before and beyond September 30.”
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation seeks to honour First Nations, Inuit and Métis residential school survivors, their families and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of their history and the legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.
One of the five areas of focus of the HDSB’s 2020-2024 Multi-Year Strategic Plan is Indigenous Perspectives and Awareness, intended to promote knowledge and understanding of Indigenous truths, rights and realities. The HDSB and Indigenous community partners have co-developed an Indigenous Education Policy, expanded the Indigenous Rights and Education department and continues to fulfill the commitments identified in the Multi-Year Plan. The HDSB regularly consults with the treaty partner and meets with the Board’s Indigenous Education Advisory Council.
Curtis Ennis, Director of Education, and Margo Shuttleworth, Chair, of the Halton District School Board have shared a video message for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
