September 30th – A Day of Learning

Team photo - Day of Learning

Earlier this year, the Government of Canada passed legislation to make September 30 a federal holiday. It is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Federal public employees have the day off work to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools in Canada. Furthermore, it is a learning opportunity.

Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation

At Learning Bird, we are committed to Truth and Reconciliation. We support all Canadians having a day of reflection. It is important to honour the children lost to the residential school system. Canadians must reflect on the ongoing intergenerational impact of residential schooling on Indigenous families and communities. 

Annual Day of Learning

However, we believe true reconciliation can only come after truth. To get to a place of truth, we all have to do a lot of learning and unlearning. That is why we have decided as a team to make September 30 an annual day of learning at Learning Bird. 

Each year, we will set aside September 30 for team members to further their knowledge about truth and reconciliation topics. Every team member is in a different place on their learning journey. We are not prescribing activities or tasks for our staff to participate in. Team members can read, take a course, listen to podcasts, or watch documentaries. They can play a game, attend an in-person or virtual event, or participate in community ceremonies. The goal is to provide them with time to explore, learn, connect, and reflect. 

Our Plans for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

We all have different plans for the day. I plan to listen to a few episodes of Still Here, Still Healing. It’s a podcast hosted by Learning Bird Alumni Jade Roberts and jump ahead a few weeks in my Indigenous Canada Course from the University of Alberta. 

Here’s what other team members are looking forward to learning or doing on September 30. 

Virtual Truth and Reconciliation Week Events

“I plan to attend and bring my students to some of the virtual Truth and Reconciliation Week events hosted by the National Centre of Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR). I am looking forward to the event Beyond Orange Shirt Day. I hope the community will be able to gather to mark the day safely.” – Hannah Arseneau-Daniels, Instructional Designer at Learning Bird and part-time educator at Mezi Community School in Wha Ti, NWT

Indigenous Canada Course

“I will continue taking the Indigenous Canada Course from the University of Alberta. I am over halfway through the 12-week course, and it has been very enlightening to learn more about Canadian history from an Indigenous worldview.” – Henry Ryan, Chief Executive Officer

Aboriginal Worldviews and Education Course

“My plan for September 30 is to revisit a course I took in my post-grad from my favourite professor and friend, Jean-Paul Restoule. The course is Aboriginal Worldviews and Education at the University of Toronto, now offered as a free course via Coursera. I also plan to rent We Were Children from the NFB, a film directed by Tim Wolochatiuk.” – Ashley Hamilton, Education Specialist

Pîkiskwêtân Indigenous Directions Learning Series

“I’m planning to dive into the Companion Resource Guides for a new learning series Concordia University has introduced called the Pîkiskwêtân Indigenous Directions Learning Series. These guides link to books, articles, and University resources that contain a lot of information.” – Rebecca Smith, Education Projects Coordinator

Sharing Our Learning

We’ve shared a list of events, activities, recommended media, and learning opportunities with the team. We have encouraged everyone to add to this list as they discover new and interesting resources. 

Our team is looking forward to their day of exploration and learning. We are excited to share our knowledge through group discussions and lunch and learn sessions throughout the year. 

How will you be spending your day on September 30? Drop us an email to let us know. 

5 Resources To Address Truth and Reconciliation Week in your Classroom

Residential school victims shoes on Parliament Hill

With Truth and Reconciliation Week just around the corner, many educators begin to explore these complex topics with learners. Just as no two people are the same, there is no “one size fits all” approach to discussing truth and reconciliation. Each of us has a lens through which we perceive the world. Our family history, personal experiences, and culture shape this viewpoint. Below are five activities you can use to support learners beginning their journey to truth and reconciliation.  

Truth and Reconciliation in Literature

Use age-appropriate literature by Indigenous authors to approach truth and reconciliation with learners. 

This blog post shares ten books written by Indigenous authors, appropriate for Kindergarten to Grade 12. You may wish to use one of these books in your classroom as a discussion starter. Alternatively, the book you share could inspire an art project, creative writing activity, drama presentation, or social action initiative. 

Reconciliation Through Calls to Action

Watch this video with your learners: Truth and Reconciliation For Residential Schools.

It reviews the history of residential schools, the meaning of truth and reconciliation, and shares examples of communities looking to raise awareness about the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action.

After watching this video, consider asking learners to review the 94 Calls to Action and choose one that inspires them. Ask learners: What can individuals, schools, or communities do to honour this call to action? You may encourage learners to engage in a group discussion, create a short written reflection, or represent their thinking through art. 

Cultural Assimilation Policies

Discuss cultural assimilation with learners. Encourage them to write poems inspired by George Ella Lyon’s famous poem “Where I’m From.” 

This activity introduces learners to the concept of cultural assimilation. Using “Where I’m From” as a guide, encourage learners to reflect on their family and cultural history through poetry. Alternatively, you may wish to encourage learners to interview a residential school Survivor and write a poem from their perspective, with permission. This is an opportunity to discuss sensitivity and empathy with learners. 

Residential School Survivors

Encourage learners to use this activity to reflect on their perspectives about reconciliation: Your Thoughts about Reconciliation.

Learners will use their descriptive writing skills to reflect on the experiences of residential school Survivors. Alternatively, learners can reflect on their own experience learning about residential schools. They can use art, oral storytelling or drama to convey their message. 

Indigenous Languages

Discuss how the residential school system affected Indigenous languages in Canada and where many of these languages stand today. 

Learners have the opportunity to reflect on what they already know about Indigenous languages in Canada. They will identify what they would like to learn and assemble various facts to understand Indigenous languages. Consider challenging your learners to research beyond the information provided on the handout.

If you want to know more about events during Truth and Reconciliation Week or learn more about Truth and Reconciliation, check out our blog post, Truth and Reconciliation Week: Learning through Action.