KCDSB Staff Wear Orange on their First Nation, Métis and Inuit Professional Development Day
Today educators throughout the Kenora Catholic District School Board wore an orange shirt or ribbon at their First Nation, Métis and Inuit Professional Development day. The day centered on learning about First Nation, Métis and Inuit culture, traditions and history.
The KCDSB staff wore orange shirts or ribbons in recognition of Orange Shirt Day on September 30th and the legacy of the residential school experience.
Anishinaabemowin Teacher, Sheila White organized the Orange Shirt Day initiative and talked about the significance of the orange shirts. "We decided to bring in Orange Shirt Day because it's a legacy from the residential school experience. One of the survivors (Phyllis) told her story about how her shiny, new orange T-shirt was taken away from her on her first day of residential school. We are wearing orange shirts to continue Phyllis' story, and carrying on this information to our children, and everyone in the community. We want to raise awareness about Orange Shirt Day, and I'm hoping it will grow to become a community-wide event. It's a date where we can join together to talk about residential schools, and just remember everything that happened. Every child matters, even if they're an adult," she said.
Staff were able to learn from Elders as well as representatives from the Kenora Métis Council, Rat Portage Round House and Anishinaabe Abinooji Family Services. Terry Skead from Wauzhushk Onigum shared information on the cultural significance of the Rat Portage Round House and Arbour as well as traditional Anishinabe culture and practices. Elder Sally Skead shared knowledge on Woman's Teachings while Elder Ron P. McDonald taught the men about Men's Teachings.
This year staff deepened their knowledge of the legacy of the residential school experience with a talk from Larry Henry and Tommy White from the Kenora Chiefs Advisory. The talk was a continuation of the learning that Tommy White started last school year.
Paul White, Superintendent of Instructional Services, talks about why the learning is important for staff. "We want to make sure that all of our teachers understand where our students come from, what they're all about, and that we're all in unity together. It is a day to go back and look at the traditions and customs of our Treaty #3 area. The students always benefit when the teachers understand where the students are coming from and it helps us further our work on creating positive school environments for all children. It allows us to teach on several levels to make sure that their academic success is the forefront. This day will make sure that they understand that we're trying to train as many people as we can to understand their cultural backgrounds," he said.
The initiative is part of the board's goal to incorporate Anishinaabe culture and traditions into their curriculum and to follow recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Report and Committee.
St. Thomas Aquinas High School will be hosting an Orange Shirt Day event on Tuesday, October 3rd with an Orange Shirt Day Assembly that will begin at 11:30 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend and learn more about Orange Shirt Day. The date was chosen by the school to recognize the signing of the treaty of Treaty #3, which occurred on October 3, 1873. Staff and students will be wearing orange shirts.
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The women of KCDSB soaked up every moment they had with Elder Sally Skead, as she shared her knowledge of Women's Traditional Teachings. Sally was fascinating and left the ladies wanting to spend more time with her to learn more.
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A traditional craft display was present in the foyer at St. Thomas Aquinas High School where staff were able to see and touch the display and ask questions.
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Wanda Botsford from the Kenora Métis Council shared information on the colonization of the Métis people.
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KCDSB staff wear their orange shirts.
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