Continuing Our Understanding of Truth and Reconciliation
October 2, 2024
Last week, in the lead up to Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation which was observed Monday, Sept. 30, students and staff across the Langley School District continued their learning of Indigenous culture, the history of residential schools and more.
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 Friday, are worn in solidarity with 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.
At Langley Fine Arts, the school partnered with the stɑl’əw ̓ Arts & Cultural Society and artist Carlyn Andres, an LFAS grad and an Aboriginal Support Worker in the District who designed a paint-by-numbers style mural, which LFAS students then took turns painting.
The mural’s design is a sun and two eagles, both carrying a cedar bough in their beaks. The eagle holding the cedar is reminiscent of a dove and an olive branch, a well-known symbol of peace.
The project, which came to be thanks to a grant from the Government of Canada’s Canadian Heritage National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Community Projects Team, was intended to be “a way for people to participate and heal together,” said Lindsay Forman, a project consultant from the stɑl’əw ̓ Arts & Cultural Society.
“Anytime we can do something experiential, something hands-on, that’s going to stay with the kids a little bit longer,” said Tara Helps, an Aboriginal Support Worker at LFAS. “It’s giving them the opportunity to know that their heart and their work is going to go back to the community, and I think that’s been a really important piece of this project.”
The finished mural will be installed at the Kwantlen First Nation Cultural Centre.
At Shortreed Community Elementary, students and staff participated in a ‘round dance’ which is a traditional Indigenous ceremony meant to bring people together, heal and honour life.
Betty Gilbert Middle School, meanwhile, hosted an event Friday that included a presentation from a member of the máthxwi First Nation, and then concluded with a community march. The school also made reflection time available to students throughout the day.
“Throughout the generations, I think a lot of this history is glazed over, and now the truth is starting to be heard,” said Melissa Epp, education coordinator for máthxwi First Nation and also a parent of Langley students. “And reaching out to the younger generation, and ensuring that they know the proper history of Canada, is so important.”
For photos of events and learning held across the District, see the slideshow and video below: