School District No. 35

Last week, in the last school days prior to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30 and Orange Shirt Day, students and staff throughout the District – from elementary school to secondary – continued their journeys to learn more about the impact of residential schools as well as Indigenous history and culture.

Orange Shirt Day, which was started more than a decade ago and has become an annual recognition in the District, is a day to remember and honour the children of residential schools who did not return home. It is also a day to acknowledge that “Every Child Matters.”

Orange shirts, which were worn by staff across the District last week, are worn in honour of  Phyllis Webstad from Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, who had her orange shirt taken away upon entering the residential school she was forced to attend as a child.

Orange Shirt Day is now in its 13th year being recognized across the country. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action.

“Orange Shirt Day” and “Every Child Matters” are now synonymous with promoting reconciliation beyond the borders of British Columbia,” said Langley School District Board Chair Candy Ashdown at the beginning of the Sept. 23 board meeting.

“Wearing Orange Shirts is only part of the work in the Langley School District. It symbolizes the commitment that the Board of Education and School District has to ensure that “Every Child Matters” and is embedded in the commitment to inspire all learners to reach their full potential and create a positive legacy for the future.”

At Lynn Fripps Elementary, classes decorated a wooden heart which are visual representations of the school’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. Each heart has a unique design and its own meaning.

At Langley Fine Arts, paper puzzle pieces lined the walls inside the school representing some of the Truth and Reconciliation 94 calls to action. Students filled in the pieces with orange notes to outline completed actions. The blank pieces symbolized incomplete actions which were effective learning tools to remind everyone that more work is needed.

At Nicomekl Elementary students and staff gathered in a solemn and meaningful assembly. As part of its truth and reconciliation journey, the school has welcomed a new Indigenized school logo of the cougar, new artwork created by Coast Salish carver xwa-lack-tun, as well as committing to activities throughout the year including learning hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓. hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ is the language spoken by the Down River peoples of the Fraser Valley, including the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, Kwikwetlem, Tsawwassen, Katzie, and Kwantlen Nations.

At Parkside Centennial Elementary, students were involved in creating a learning gallery, complete with the interactive activities for classes to engage in.

In advance of Orange Shirt Day, students in all grades at R.C. Garnett Demonstration School spent time learning about the day, and about truth and reconciliation – all tailored to specific age levels – and then created art that became part of a multi-sensory pathway in the gym. On Friday, all students took a few minutes to experience the pathway, with some students even telling staff they wanted to bring their parents back so they could see it, too.

Also last week, students at Douglas Park Community School had the opportunity to listen to District Aboriginal Support Worker Linda McCullough, who spoke about her experiences attending a residential school. The session was also recorded by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation so McCullough’s words could be shared with others around the country. The full 50-minute session can be viewed here.

The District encourages all members of our community to observe the day in their own unique way - whether by attending a local event, reading books by Indigenous authors, or exploring stories that elevate Indigenous voices. 

To see the learning in action across the District, check out the photos below.