Gravenhurst Public School Learns about Truth & Reconciliation: Tuesday, September 27, 2022:
We are all Treaty People and are called, as part of the 94 calls to action put forward by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, to teach our students about treaties, residential schools, and Aboriginal peoples’ contributions to Canada while building capacity for intercultural understanding, mutual respect, and empathy. (Calls to Action 62 & 63).
Gravenhurst Public School has partnered with the Muskoka Indigenous Friendship Centre this year to mark National Truth and Reconciliation Week with a variety of opportunities to bring those goals to fruition with the following experiential education opportunities on Tuesday, September 27, 2022:
- Students in Mrs. Wright’s Gr ⅘ class and the Grade 5s in Mrs. Walters’ class will be learning about environmental stewardship at the HMK Children’s Water Festival, which includes learning activities led by local elders such as the Gchi-Nibi – “Sacred Water” station which will have students take part in a traditional water ceremony. (all day event at Camp Kinark)
- Students in Grade 2-4 classes are invited to walk over the St James Anglican Church for a walk through event learning about different facets of local Indigenous cultures. (11:45am)
- Students in Grade 6-8 are invited to witness and participate in a drum circle at St James Anglican Church (2:00pm).
While we won’t be selling Orange Shirts this year, we will be selling buttons made by the Muskoka Indigenous Friendship Centre volunteers to commemorate Orange Shirt Day either at the school office or online for $2.50 with all proceeds going back to support the Friendship Centre.
Orange Shirt Day – TLDSB will honour on Thursday, September 29, 2022
Teachers/classes are invited to join a system-wide live-streamed event on the 29th from 10am-11am or from 1pm-2pm with local Elders and Knowledge Holders who will share messages of truth, resiliency and the importance of being part of reconciliation. We selected this day so that those who continue to hold us up to do this important work can be with their families and communities on the 30th.
Wear Orange All Week Long: Honouring the Survivors
Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters is a day that honours the survivors of residential schools – and acknowledges those who did not. Everyone in TLDSB is asked to get involved in honouring all those who attended residential schools by wearing an orange shirt as often as you can.
