Middle school students in Rebecca Peters' French class marked Orange Shirt Day on September 30, a day in Canada dedicated to honoring the multi-generational impact of the Indian residential school system. The day serves as a reminder of the resilience of Indigenous communities and reaffirms the belief that every child matters.

To observe the occasion, students engaged in meaningful activities that highlighted the importance of Orange Shirt Day. They designed their own orange shirts to show solidarity with Indigenous peoples and viewed educational videos in French that helped them understand the history and lasting effects of residential schools.

We also explored artwork by an Indigenous Quebecois artist, which prompted deep discussions about the events that shaped this painful chapter of our shared history, said Peters.

In addition to these activities, Peters shared a curated list of books about the history and legacy of residential schools to encourage further learning and reflection. Below are some student reflections on the significance of the day:

I am wearing an orange shirt because...

* No child should ever be separated from their family, and every child has the right to preserve their culture and heritage.
* Residential schools were devastating, and every child deserves to grow up connected to their culture.
* Life should be kind to everyone.
* I want to honor those who died as a result of the residential school system.
* What happened was wrong, and it's important that we remember.
* We stand in solidarity with the survivors who have lived through unimaginable trauma.

Orange Shirt Day was inspired by Phyllis Jack Webstad, a member of the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation in Williams Lake, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.orangeshirtday.org

Date Added: 11/13/2024