Truth & Reconciliation Week

Truth and Reconciliation Day

Screenshot 2023-08-31 at 3.18.18 PM.pngOn September 30th we will observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which has been implemented in response to the recommendations from the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action. As a Christian community we are united in our desire to bring reconciliation and hope to those who are hurting, as was modelled by Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:28-30; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

We believe this is an excellent opportunity for our students to walk out the HCOS Biblical Attribute of restoration. The description reads, “Students will become aware of the call to be compassionate peacemakers, and to be participants in God’s mission to bring about the restoration and reconciliation of all things according to His intention for creation.” 

During this time of reflection on our history as a nation, our team has assembled a list of resources to help support your family as we all work towards healing and reconciliation.  As our community takes a pause to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, it is our prayer that you and your family will find opportunities to help fulfill God’s mandate of restoration.

Resources
Orange Shirt Day

Truth and Reconciliation Day is also recognized as Orange Shirt Day. Wearing Orange has become a symbol of hope, reconciliation and a commitment to a better future.

The Orange Shirt Society will have their new 2024 design available for purchase at a variety of retailers throughout BC, such as:

This year’s design was created by Aliyah Bautista, a grade 11 student from Ponoka, Alberta. Click here to learn more about the meaning behind the 2024 design.

 


Learning Commons Resources

Truth and Reconciliation

Due to the sensitive nature of Truth and Reconciliation Day topics, we recommend that parents guide their students in conversations while using these suggested resources.

Learning Commons | Selected Books

These books have been selected as a conversation starter on Residential Schools.

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Middle School (Grades 5-9) 
High School (Grades 10-12)

How the Church is Responding

Here are some sample church teachings where pastors have partnered with Indigenous communities to help build bridges towards reconciliation.

Living Waters Church Series: We Are Kwantlen
North American Baptist Conference
North Shore Alliance Church
Canadian Baptist International
Ministries Grace Baptist Church
Jericho Ridge Community Church
Prayers and Liturgy 

These are only a few samples, however many churches are doing great work in this area. We would encourage you to ask your local churches how they are engaging with Indigenous partners in your local community. 


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Website Resources

Due to the sensitive nature of Truth and Reconciliation Day topics, we recommend that parents guide their students in conversations while using these suggested resources.

Truth and Reconciliation Week

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is hosting Truth and Reconciliation Week 2024, a national program open to all schools across Canada. 

Canadian Geographic’s Education Indigenous Resources

The Can Geo Education website contains resources to support education as a tool for reconciliation. Students can interact with Google Earth Voyageur stories to learn about Canada’s residential schools, original place names, and Indigenous cultural heritage. Other resources include Paths to Reconciliation, a website charting residential schools not yet recognized by the Canadian federal government, and Re:Location, an interactive website to learn about the history of Indigenous community relocation across Canada.

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Create to Learn

Create to Learn is a video-based resource featuring online tutorials on digital skills and traditional knowledge using digital tools. All videos and resources are created by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists and creatives to showcase their skills. Topics include:

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Whose Land

Explore the Whose Land website to learn about the territory your home or business is situated on, find information for a land acknowledgement, and learn about the treaties and agreements signed across Canada. Educational videos are available to watch, that will give you a better understanding of why land acknowledgements are important, and the way Indigenous people view their relationship to land. The app consists of six different maps of Indigenous territories, Treaties, and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. Each community's location will eventually host a land acknowledgement video, and other information that the community would like to include on their page. The website showcases lesson ideas for students across Kindergarten to Grade 12:


National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Each year, September 30th marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”.

Additional Resources