September 18, 2023
A wide variety of events and resources are available to honour, participate in and reflect on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30, and beyond. Be sure to check in your community for additional activities.
Events
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is hosting a series of free, virtual events, open to all Canadian schools (Grades 5-12) and the general public. Programming includes: discussions on truths of the Indigenous treaties; First Nations, Métis and Inuit land claims; Residential School systems; as well as historical workshops, videos and other activities—all supported by artistic and cultural performances by First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists.
Pipe Ceremony and Survivors Walk and Pow Wow will be held at The Forks at 11:00 a.m. on September 30.
The Manitoba Museum, in partnership with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, hosts Orange Shirt Days from September 30 to October 3. Special programming includes pop-up exhibits, videos and self-guided digital tours offering education about the history and legacy of residential schools. Admission is free.
The Winnipeg Art Gallery is hosting a special day of programming in partnership with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Join the WAG on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation for tours, workshops, and talks that centre on the experiences and history of Indigenous children forced to attend Indian Residential Schools. A new tour also debuts on September 30, Truth and Reconciliation Through Art, as well as a tour of Tarralik Duffy: Gasoline Rainbows and Anaanatta Unikkaangit (Our Mother’s Stories).
Orange Shirt Days at The Manitoba Museum will feature special, all day programming from Saturday, September 30 to Sunday, October 2. Displays in the Museum Galleries focus on the history of Residential Schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The programming includes videos from the NCTR, a self-guided tour of the many exhibits relevant to the history of the Residential School system and the TRC, as well as a Manitoba Cares station where visitors can share their thoughts and make their own commitment to take action for Reconciliation. Admission is free. Guests are invited to wear orange.
The Reconciliation Run brings individuals across the country together while providing education and a meaningful event to partake in on a day meant for reflection and learning. The run will begin in Birtle, Manitoba at 8:00 a.m. at the former Residential School, and will conclude on Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation. For information on the Reconciliation Run or to sign up, visit the event’s website, or contact Trechelle Bunn at trechellebunn4@gmail.com.
MTS Resources
Indigenous Education Series – What To Do or Not To Do for Truth and Reconciliation Week
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Lesson Plans
Resistance on the Giimooch Teacher’s Guide
Resistance on the Giimooch: The Life of Mary Courchene
CTF/FCE Resources
Remembering the Children: The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is offering a free educational program to all schools across Canada from September 25-30. The program offers age-appropriate material for students in grades 1 through 12. Registration is required to view pre-recorded videos and a live Q & A session.
The Martin Family Initiative: The Martin Family Initiative works with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis People to support education, health, and well-being for children, youth, and adults. Their work includes support for parents and young children, literacy in First Nations elementary schools, entrepreneurship at the high school level, and mentorship for students to pursue post-secondary education. They provide resources on Indigenous education, including a virtual library for educators to explore learning materials and research reports.
Right To Play: Right to Play’s Indigenous programming finds ways to support Indigenous ways of learning within communities. They provide resourcing, coordination, and support for local instructors within their communities for long-lasting and effective partnerships.
Click here for a list of key terms, as well as readings and videos on some essential topics in relation to the Indigenous historical perspective and the effects of colonization.
Other Resources
Gladys We Never Knew: The life of a child in a BC Indian Residential School (bctf.ca) This eBook is intended to be an interactive resource leading educators from the story to the ‘back story’ utilizing links on each page to offer related resources. Throughout this book you will find Project of Heart tiles with an ‘aura’ which indicates that this is a link. Click on each of these tiles to find additional resources including films, videos, documents, articles, activities and more. An ISSUU version of this resources is also available at https://issuu.com/teachernewsmag/docs/ebookr.
Mary Two-Axe Earley: I Am Indian Again: View the National Film Board’s (NFB) powerful story of Mary Two-Axe Earley, who fought for more than two decades to challenge discrimination against First Nations women embedded in Canada’s Indian Act and became a key figure in Canada’s women’s rights movement.
Indigenous Voices and Reconciliation Playlists: This collection of curriculum related films and study guides on Indigenous Voices and Reconciliation is available on NFB’s Campus. Many schools, school boards, and Ministries of Education are Campus subscribers.
Legacy of Hope Foundation – Indigenous-led charitable organization is a national Indigenous charitable organization with the mandate to educate and create awareness and understanding about the Residential School system, including intergenerational impacts such as the removal of generations of Indigenous children from their families, including the Sixties Scoop and post-traumatic stress disorders.