NEWS RELEASE
HALTON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
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The Halton District School Board will commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on Monday, Sept. 30 by taking several actions to acknowledge this important day in classrooms and workspaces. Flags will be lowered at HDSB board offices and schools and the Survivors’ Flag will be raised at the J.W. Singleton Education Centre to, “... honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process”. (TRC Call to Action #80)
Orange Shirt Day was inspired by the story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad’s experience on her first day at St. Joseph Mission Residential School in Williams Lake, B.C.
Curtis Ennis, Director of Education, and Amy Collard, Chair, of the Halton District School Board have shared a video message for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPiRLV_tGog
One of the five areas of focus of the HDSB’s 2020-2024 Multi-Year Strategic Plan is Indigenous Perspectives and Awareness, intended to promote knowledge and understanding of Indigenous truths, rights and realities. The HDSB is committed to improving the learning environment and educational outcomes for Indigenous students by centring Indigenous voices in the classroom, removing barriers experienced by Indigenous students and families/kin, affirming their various identities and supporting advocacy within schools.
The HDSB’s Indigenous Education Department provides educators with professional development opportunities with a focus on Indigenous Rights, taking an anti-colonial stance and addressing anti-Indigenous racism. Educators use resources that highlight Indigenous brilliance such as videos and stories written by First Nations, Inuit and Métis authors, while engaging students in experiences with Indigenous artists, poets, scientists and land protectors.
Quotes
“The learning for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation goes beyond this one day. It is the responsibility of the HDSB community to continue to listen, learn and reflect on the truths that survivors and voices from Indigenous communities share as we carry this learning forward,” says Amy Collard, Chair of the Halton District School Board.
“Our work in implementing our commitments to Indigenous students is ongoing and we remain dedicated to upholding Indigenous Rights throughout the curriculum,” says Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board. “We remain dedicated to actively listening to Indigenous voices to guide our understanding and inform our actions. Our commitments extend to strengthening partnerships with Indigenous communities to meaningfully contribute to reconciliation and see that this is reflected in our learning and working spaces.”
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