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Looking ahead to Orange Shirt Day

Sep 26, 2018 | 12:00 PM

Schools and organizations around the region are set to participate in Orange Shirt Day this week, a day designed to raise awareness about the residential school system.

Orange Shirt Day started in 2013 in British Columbia. The colour orange is used to represent the children who never returned home from the residential school system.

The day was brought about by Phyllis Webstab, who at the age of six had her orange shirt taken away when she began her tenure at the St. Joseph Mission residential school.

Various events will be taking place in and around Prince Albert leading up to Orange Shirt Day, which is slated to be commemorated at the grounds of the former Prince Albert Indian Residential School, now the Prince Albert Grand Council.

“We’re going to be doing a walk around the residential school area here, and then we’re going to be doing a commemoration service,” Anita Parenteau said.

Parenteau said the Round Plain Jr’s drum group would be leading the procession, and a performance by a dance group from Wahpeton will follow.

The Muskoday First Nation Community School will also be marking Orange Shirt Day, albeit on Friday, Sept. 28. Principal Andrew DeBray said the school is hosting a round dance in the morning, and the day will conclude with a feast and closing drum ceremony, which also marks the completion of their first month of school.

Cory Trann, superintendent of schools with the Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division, said Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for students to learn about Truth and Reconciliation and the effects of the residential school system. Students throughout the division will take part in a variety of activities, Trann said, ranging from inquiry-based assignments to engaging with community Elders about the impact of residential schools. 

“The biggest thing is that we are embedding some authentic conversation within our school system, within our classrooms, within our teachers and amongst our staff and students,” Trann told paNOW. “We’re just very proud of our schools and the engagement that they take to be part of Truth and Reconciliation.”

 

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas