Healing Through Remembrance: WSD Marks National Truth and Reconciliation Day

As the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation approached, students and staff at Winnipeg School Division (WSD) took time to reflect on the painful history of residential schools and the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.

Across the division, schools organized events that blended education, art, and community engagement to honour survivors and remember those who never returned home.  

Marsha Missyabit, WSD's Kookum, emphasized the importance of this work, offering guidance on what reconciliation means and how to get involved. Her wisdom set the tone for the division's approach to this solemn yet hopeful occasion. 

“Reconciliation is about being open to reconciling the harms of our past,” she says. “It’s about understanding and moving forward together. By building healthy relationships, we strengthen our country and work towards a Good life (Mino bimaadisiwin) for all.”

At Keewatin Prairie Community School, students and teachers participated in a special assembly. 

The event's program featured meaningful activities planned to honour Truth and Reconciliation. It began with opening remarks and a land acknowledgement, followed by insights on the significance of wearing orange shirts. Students shared their reflections on the day's importance, and "The Spirit Bear Song" performance highlighted the value of music in expressing cultural identity. The presentations featured "The Past is Always Our Present" and "Indigenous Heroes," effectively showcased the depth of student learning and their active engagement with these critical themes.

Two grade classrooms collaborated on a project that brought Indigenous heroes to life.

Megan Hunter, a Grade 3 teacher, explained the benefits of teamwork between different grade levels: "Mrs. Catherine Sands, a Grade 9 teacher, and I decided that having collaboration, learning, and connection between grade threes and grade nines all year long will benefit everyone."

The project involved extensive research and peer teaching. As Hunter described, "We decided that the Grade Nines would research different Indigenous heroes. Each student chose one hero to study, created a PowerPoint, and then presented it to their Grade Three buddy to teach them about that hero.”

This approach produced impressive results. Victoria, a Grade 9 student, shared her findings: "I researched Fawn Wood, and I learned that she was the first native woman in her community to win a drum contest and that she sang for her people at a very young age."

The younger students also gained valuable knowledge. A Grade 3 student, Athen, said, "We read the book Go Show the World by Wab Kinew. I learned about Sergeant Tommy Prince, a soldier and a residential school survivor, with the help of my two Grade 9 buddies, Tyson and Royce." 

Athen captured the spirit of reconciliation, "the book we read, and our presentation helps Indigenous heroes get their voices back."

Hunter reflected on the project's impact: "It was also incredible to see them highlight and recognize strong Indigenous leaders, Ms. Perun and Ms. Donna, within our school community."

This group project taught students about amazing Indigenous people. It also helped students from different grades work together and learn from each other. The students' presentation can be viewed here.

Children of the Earth, Niji Mahkwa, and RB Russell High School

The three schools and community partners organized a Truth and Reconciliation Walk on September 27. 

Principal Jenifer Donachuk of Children of the Earth School reflected: 

"Children of the Earth, Niji Mahkwa, and RB Russell High School are so geographically close that it made sense to bring our kids together meaningfully - remembering the truths of our shared history and working towards a reconciled future. Joining with Urban Circle Training Centre and the University of Manitoba Inner City Social Work Program on this walk was a great opportunity to show our commitment to each other as partners in the broader scope of work in the community.

Our Truth and Reconciliation Walk was important for our schools and the community to come together. As we walked down the road, each of us wearing our orange shirts, carrying our signs, and moving with the sound of the drum and our songs, there was a real sense of pride in our people and pride in the North End. We've come a long way towards reconciliation, but much more work still needs to be done, and we all have a part to play in it." 

The video of the Truth and Reconciliation walk can be viewed here. 

Villa Rosa 

At Villa Rosa, art became a medium for reflection and healing. 

Visual Arts Teacher Anna shared: "The Villa Rosa art students were asked to create an original artwork for The Colour Orange, an Indigenous art gallery in the forest supporting the Akiing Onji Foundation. Students began this project by looking at the artwork of Canadian Indigenous artist Norval Morrisseau. Many students commented that they found this project therapeutic and their time in the art room peaceful."

Through this creative process, students learned about Indigenous art and found a powerful way to express their own experiences and emotions.

Alissa, a student at Villa Rosa, said, "My painting is about new pathways leading towards better days. The turtle represents life. The fish represent my family- I come from a line of fishermen. The blueberries and raspberries represent me and my son. The full moon is for the ceremony; it's always a special night. At Villa Rosa School, I am learning to paint again. I feel happy to express myself through art and have fun!"

Principal Sparling School

The school observed Orange Shirt Day with a community walk and drum club performance. Mini orange T-shirts were attached to the fence. The event concluded with homemade Bannock and juice.

"At Principal Sparling School, we understand the past and our responsibility to create a brighter future. We commit to learning about the "Calls to Action" by having an assembly every month. We commit to doing our best to reconcile by learning more about the Indigenous ways of knowing and learning. We will recognize that every person is a sacred being and that every child matters," said Lloyd Rana, Principal. 

Grosvenor School

On September 27, during the school-based recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Grosvenor School students and staff created a collaborative art installation with soil. Everyone took their learning about residential schools and shared their learning through art.

Grosvenor School teachers Katherine and Ferguson explained: "We invited staff and students to take two actions: remove and return. The act of removal was a recognition of the truths we have been learning about. We 'connected the dots' of soil with our hands in honour of children and to signify the removal of land and children from communities. Staff and students then all participated in returning the soil to the land to signify the need for ongoing actions of reconciliation and the need to return and restore identity, culture, language and land." 

Classes worked together to create the installation. As more students came outside, the circles grew outwards, and the circle got bigger to show the impact of our actions on multiple generations. Students continued to participate after the formal part of the art creation. They creatively searched for natural materials from the playground, such as leaves, flowers, cedar and grasses and placed them thoughtfully while sharing their knowledge and understanding of what they had learned throughout the week.

Prairie Rose and Carpathia School 

Prairie Rose and Carpathia School held their Orange Shirt Day Assembly and Every Child Matters Awareness Walk on Friday, September 27. The students and staff honoured the children taken from their families and reflected on the importance of reconciliation. Everyone wore orange shirts proudly and walked together to support Indigenous communities.

WSD Adult English as an Additional Language Program (WSD AEAL)

On Friday, September 27, staff and students at WSD AEAL had the opportunity to attend a presentation by the Urban Eagle Transition Centre members. They shared background on the residential school system and also shared personal stories about the impact of the residential schools on them and their ancestors. Learning that residential schools were still functioning as late as the mid-1990s shocked everyone. This powerful, personal and informative presentation allowed many of our students and staff to begin to understand the devastation of residential schools and the long-lasting impact on Indigenous people. 

This presentation was one of a series of activities the WSD AEAL program has undertaken to address misconceptions between the Newcomer and Indigenous communities and begin building bridges between them.

The Winnipeg School Division Adult English as an Additional Language Program (Adult EAL), located in the heart of Winnipeg at 275 Portage Avenue, serves more than 600 newcomer adult language learners. 

Gordon Bell and Grant Park High Schools

On Saturday, September 28, students and teachers from these schools participated in a Truth and Reconciliation Run in Birtle, Manitoba. The ceremonial half marathon served as a memorial and a step toward building respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

Kelvin High School

Kelvin High School's observance spanned several days: On September 27, students and staff walked to Assiniboia Residential School, increasing community visibility of support for Indigenous students. On October 1, Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba, gave a presentation on the importance of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day of MMIW2+. On October 2, the school organized workshops with the Ivan Memorial Flett Dancers, culminating in a whole-school performance. On October 3, Soapstone carving sessions with Michael Manyeagles were organized in the Lodge room.

Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute (DMCI)

On September 26, DMCI hosted "Stories of Strength, Songs of Resilience," featuring the Warriors Path Drum Group, tipi teachings, and Indigenous games on the school field.

Technical Vocational High School 

Technical Vocational High School continued its commitment to Truth and Reconciliation by holding its first Orange Shirt Day walk this year, a student initiative to spread awareness beyond the school. Both indigenous and non-indigenous staff and students contributed to the week's planning, culminating in walking side by side through the community.

While the walk was new, the school has a history of learning activities around this time. The event, marked on Friday, September 27, featured a drum circle that helped students connect with their culture and learn about the impacts of residential schools—the day also included cultural activities like preparing the traditional Three Sisters Stew, symbolizing an increasing acceptance and appreciation of Indigenous culture in society.

St. John's High School

The September 27th event included setting up a tipi, lighting sacred fires, assemblies with Elder Jennifer Thomas, and a community walk. The day concluded with an optional smudge, symbolizing cleansing and renewal. 

The diverse events across the Winnipeg School Division demonstrated a deep commitment to honouring the past, educating the present, and building a more inclusive future. From art installations to community walks and drum circles to runs, each school found meaningful ways to engage with the complex history and ongoing journey of reconciliation. As we observed the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the spirit of these events carried forward, inspiring ongoing reflection, action, and hope in our shared journey toward reconciliation.

Missyabit reminds us that the journey of truth and reconciliation is ongoing. It requires commitment, open-mindedness, and a willingness to learn.

“September 30 is a reminder of the work that needs to be done, not just on that day, but every day,” she concludes. “By honouring the past and working towards reconciliation, we can build a better future for generations to come.”