Elders, lead teachers and families gathered for the Fort Saskatchewan Fall Family Gathering
Around the Division
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day
Divisionwide events, held on Friday, September 29, once again fulfilled our commitment to the TRC Call to Action #80, “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.” All schools and Division sites commorated the annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in the spirit of remembrance and as an act of reconciliation.
Some of the Division events included:
- Division Central Services staff learned about the history, distribution, location and lasting impacts of residential schools using the Indigenous Peoples’ Giant Floor Map. Residential schools are shown on the giant map, and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation was a partner in its creation.
- Many schools created heart gardens as messages of love, hope and belonging.
- Classrooms across the Division participated in age-appropriate live, online learning from Elders, knowledge holders and residential school Survivors through organizations like Rupertsland Institute, Downie-Wenjack Foundation and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
Journey of Respectful Relationship Building Continues in Fort Saskatchewan
First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education lead teachers, Elders, knowledge keepers and Indigenous families from Fort Saskatchewan came together for their annual fall family gathering. The first gathering of the year was held at Turner Park and was full of good food, laughter, stories and some rain. Everyone is looking forward to the next two gatherings planned for later in the school year.
Upcoming Events
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4th Annual Walk a Mile in a Ribbon Skirt Event
This annual event is intended to share the rich history behind the ribbon skirt as a symbol of Indigenous strength and feminism. On October 28, from noon to 3 p.m., join others at Edmonton City Hall to learn about and help stop the prejudices Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people face when they wear their skirts.
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November is a Busy Month!
There are many important dates of significance in the coming weeks, and EIPS is planning many engaging learning experiences for staff and students across the Division. Check back to read about our stories of learning, knowing and understanding.
Resources of Interest
Interested in resources about residential schools that are suitable for younger learners? The children’s animated show, Builder Brothers Dream Factory, did a lovely episode on Orange Shirt Day. It can be viewed on TreeHouse, Teletoon, or YouTube.
Interested in learning more about seasonal cycles and what the Land tells us? Fall is a time to celebrate return to our school families and continuation of our learning journey. It's also a time of deep reflection on the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools. For some Cree communities, this is pimihāwipīsim—migrating moon. The Land is reminding us this is the time to prepare for the winter. There are so many lessons to learn as the seasonal cycle continues. A good resource to learn more about the seasonal cycles and the 13 Cree moons is Bernice Johnson-Laxdal's and Mirian Korner’s book, When the Trees Crackle With Cold.
