Northland School Division

Source: http://safeandcaring.ca/

Northland schools will be wearing orange shirts to honour and bring awareness to the experiences of residential school students this week. The annual Orange Shirt Day began in British Columbia in 2013 when a residential school survivor, Phyllis Webstad, shared her story of having her shiny new orange shirt taken away on her first day at a residential school. Since then, Orange Shirt Day has become an opportunity for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation.

Here is a list of events taking place across Northland School Division: (Most schools are hosting events on September 29th)

Central Office: It will be a sea of orange at central office in Peace River on Friday. All central office staff will be wearing Orange Shirt Day t-shirts to honour and bring awareness to the experiences of residential school students. 

Anzac School and Bill Woodward School: All students are invited to wear orange! They are hoping to have a special guest talk about residential schools and truth and reconciliation. 

Athabasca Delta Community School: The school will start Orange Shirt Day by explaining the purpose in the announcements. Students and staff that have an orange shirt are welcome to wear it. The school will provide orange ribbons for students and staff who do not have an orange shirt. Also, students and staff will be given an orange at the end of the day to promote health within the school.

Career Pathways School, Pelican Mountain School, Mistassiniy School, St. Theresa School: You are invited to celebrate Orange Shirt Day and Kaya Ayamikamik Achimowina: Old Stories of the Mission book release. 

Date: Friday, September 29, 2017
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (a feast to follow)
Location: Mistassiniy School Gymnasium 

Mistassiniy School is also hosting activities in the morning. Click here to view a full schedule. 

Conklin Community School: The school has ordered t-shirts for the whole school and will have class discussions about why Orange Shirt Day is celebrated. 

Dr. Mary Jackson School: Students will be wearing something orange for the day and will be watching a short video clip on Phyllis' story about the orange shirt. Discussion will take place.

Elizabeth School: Students and staff will be wearing orange shirts in honour of children and generations who were harmed in residential schools. Students will be listening to a guest speaker and participating in activities that celebrate their identity and commemorate those that suffered in residential schools. Students and parents are welcome to bring and wear cultural pieces that celebrate their rich heritage. ECS-2 11:20 am -11:50 am 3-5 1:00 pm -1:30 pm  6-8 1:30 pm -2:20 pm Everyone-parents and guardians welcome in the gym from 2:30 pm -2:50 pm for remembering and celebrating historical identity. 

Grouard Northland School: On September 27th, the school honoured and brought awareness to the experiences of residential school students by wearing orange t-shirts. Thank you parents and families for your support. Visit the school's website to view the photo http://grouardnorthlandschool.ca/about/school-news/post/grouard-northland-school-participates-in-orange-shirt-day. 

Hillview School: Grades 4-6 will be reading and doing activities based on the book, "The Secret Path," written by Gord Downie and illustrated by Jeff Lemire. Grades K-3 will be reading/listening to "Kookum's Red Shoes," by Peter Eyvindson and illustrated by Sheldon Dawson as well as "The Kissing Hand," by Audrey Penn and illustrated by Sheldon Dawson. Students will colour orange hearts with messages of hope, understanding, and courage. Cree classes will have open discussions to help build awareness of residential school experiences and history. All students and staff will be encouraged to wear orange.

Pelican Mountain School: Students and staff will be wearing orange, drawing pictures and talking about the significance of Orange Shirt Day. 

Susa Creek School: The school is hosting Orange Shirt Day on Wednesday, September 27th.