Wall of Remembrance, Fort Saskatchewan Elementary

Around the Division

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day Acknowledged throughout EIPS
Schools across the Division are continuing their learning about Orange Shirt Day and the recently created National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Divisionwide events of learning, reflecting and remembrance will happen on September 29—but staff and students across EIPS are committed to deepen their foundational knowledge of colonization as well as the histories, cultures and perspectives of First Nations, Métis and Inuit throughout the school year. The gallery below showcases examples of how students are demonstrating their understanding leading up to September 30.

Welcome to the newest member of our Team: Leaha Atcheynum
Leaha identifies herself as a proud Métis woman with Cree ancestry and comes to us from from Jackfish Lake, Saskatchewan, where her family still resides on their traditional Métis land. Her great-grandmother (chapan) comes from Saulteux First Nation and her great-grandfather was a French settler. Leaha is married into Sweetgrass First Nation where her husband and children are registered treaty members. Leaha and her family reside just east of Chipman, Alberta. She's an advisor with the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education team where she supports staff, students, families and communities. Leaha has a degree in social work from the University of Regina.

Upcoming Events

Board-declared Holiday - September 30
Once again, EIPS will acknowledge National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a Board-declared Division closure day on September 30. The second annual day of remembrance and Orange Shirt Day will both be acknowledged Division-wide on September 29th. Each school will participate in an age-appropriate programs and activities to honour residential school Survivors, their families and communities, as well as those children who did not return home. Schools will continue to honour the spirit and intent of Orange Shirt Day as well.

TELUS World of Science National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Events - September 30 to October 4
The TELUS World of Science in partnership with Indigenous Elders and knowledge holders will be hosting National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events from September 30 to October 2

Sisters in Spirit Day - October 4
Sisters in Spirit Day, a day to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and show support for their loved ones, will be held province-wide on October 4.

Resources of Interest

• Watch this short, five-minute video created by the EIPS First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education team to learn more about the significance of September 30.

• Learn more about Orange Shirt Day with this child-friendly resource from CBC kids and this video from Orange Shirt Day founder, Phyllis Webstad.

• If you're curious about talking about residential schools to young ones, watch this conversation with author David Robertson and teacher Pamela Dirkson.

• Watch this TED Talk from Dr. Kevin Lamoureux. He says he believes reconciliation is given to Canada by residential school survivors so the country can heal. He refers to the 94 Calls to Action as our roadmap home.

• Watch this short timeline on residential schools in Canada.

• Explore the Métis Memories of Residential Schools interactive website that highlights the beautiful mural mosaic, created with Métis Survivors and housed at Métis Crossing.

• Gallery@501 in Sherwood Park has a wonderful Alex Janvier exhibit—on now until November 20—"The Healing Language of Alex Janvier” by world-renowned Denesuline artist, Alex Janvier, from Cold Lake First Nation, Treaty 6 Territory. Curated in partnership with the Janvier Gallery and Gallery@501, this exhibition features works that reflect Janvier’s experiences at residential school.