National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2022 – Resources for Students and Families
September 29, 2022
The following content may cause distress and trigger strong emotions for anyone who may have been impacted by Residential Schools or experienced related trauma in their lives. The District’s priority is student health and well-being. Crisis support lines are available 24 hours daily including the National Indian Residential Schools Support Family Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.
As part of our Truth and Reconciliation journey on this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the District is sharing resources to help support students and their families to continue their own learning. Please see the suggested books and links to age-appropriate content recommended by District staff.
What more can we all do?
1. Read books, watch videos, or check out additional resources.
Download the District’s SORA app to access a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction eBooks and audiobooks. Families can learn by reading and listening to a collection of stories from Indigenous authors curated and made available to students and families by the District Aboriginal Department. Instructions for SORA is here. You can also visit your local library.
Young Children
- Book and Video:When We Were Alone/Ispík kákí péyakoyak, read aloud by David A. Robertson here
- Book and Video: I Hope, read aloud by Monique Gray Smith here
- Book and Video: Shi-shi-etko, by Nicola L. Campbell read aloud here
Middle Aged Children
- Book and Video: Sugar Falls, by David A. Robertson, book trailer here
- Book: When We Play Our Drums, They Sing!, by Richard Van Camp
- Book: Lucy & Lola, by Monique Grey Smith
Teens & Adults
- Book: The Inconvenient Indian, by Thomas King
- Book: The Outside Circle A Graphic Novel, by Patti LaBoucane-Benson
- Book: Black Water, by David A. Robertson
- PDF: Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Actions here
2. Wear an Orange Shirt
Find an orange shirt in your closet or purchase one from an Indigenous serving organization and wear it on September 30. The purpose of the Orange Shirt Day initiative is to recognize residential school warriors and those we have lost. It is also a day to acknowledge that “Every Child Matters.” Learn more about Orange Shirt Day here.
3. Take part in your local community and attend an event.
- Check your community calendar listings for in-person events happening in your area.
- Attend the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society’s Memorial Vigil and Walk around the Derek Double Day Arboretum (21200 Fraser Highway) in Langley. Event takes place from 7:00pm-9:00pm.