This week was Truth and Reconciliation Week in Canada. Although officially recognized over one week, these are conversations and teachings that should happen throughout the school year, not just one week, or one day. Reconciliation is about building relationships and respect, and that just cannot be reduced to a week. I wanted to share some of the activities, readings, and discussions I had with my Grade 5/6 class this year, mainly inspired by this resource, Every Child Matters. After reading the book Trudy's Rock Story, and discussing how Trudy uses rocks to relieve her anger and release her feelings, we decided that making our own Resilience Rocks could help us process some of our feelings about Canada's history, mainly anger and confusion, and by placing them back on the Earth, we could release some of the feelings and remember to act. Tuesday we started painting our rocks orange while I read the story, I am Not a Number. (We used acrylic paint - I would suggest spray paint - we had to do many many coats of acrylic paint, and them still seal them). We also watch a video from residential school survivor, Lillian Elias, and then used orange sticky notes to send her a message. Wednesday we sealed the rocks with an outdoor mod podge. We did this BEFORE they wrote on them, otherwise the sharpie marker would pull the paint off when we wrote. We read the story, When I was Eight, and wrote some more reflections on sticky notes. Thursday was Truth and Reconciliation Day and Orange Shirt Day. For art in the morning, we looked at beautiful examples of Indigenous Art and Artists - current and past. We worked on Canada Goose Drawings, inspired by Benjamin Chee Chee. We chose the Canada Goose because we liked how they inspired flight - and they may have to move or leave for a bit, but they always come back, stronger. I let the students use their laptops to look at different images while they drew their own. These turned out stunningly. Even mine - and I usually struggle with a stick figure. We had been talking about what message we wanted to share on Orange Shirt Day on our Resilience Rocks, and had brainstormed a long list over the week. Some students wanted to apologize, others wanted to send a word of support or strength, and some just wanted to share their beliefs that every child really does matter. We knew we would placing the rocks around our school yard and school community and we wanted to choose something that would inspire continuing to spread this message - that every child matters and why we need to understand why. In the afternoon we took a 2.15 km walk (for the 215 children found in Kamloops) and placed our Resilience Rocks around the school community. As we walked in our orange shirts, we were careful to spread them out around our route so we could share our messages with our small community. I told my students that if they were able, it would be nice to bring their grown-ups to where they placed their rocks earlier, and tell them about our learning and their reflections from the week. Our last day was spent working on the writing reflection, "If I was given a $1000 budget to plan an Orange Shirt Day event at my school, this is what I would do." Again, this was our week of Truth and Reconciliation activities in the classroom, but our conversations won't end at the end of the week. This acknowledgement and promise to learn the truth will continue throughout our whole year of curriculum. If you are looking to add more indigenous-themed books and authors to your classroom, HERE is a good place to get started. How were some ways you observed Truth and Reconciliation week at your school?

Jillian Harris and Team Jilly are sharing how they are honouring National Truth and Reconciliation Day this upcoming Thursday on September 30th.

As we approach Truth and Reconciliation week and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we want to acknowledge and honour the ancestral territory of all the Inuit, Metis, and First Nations people that call this land home. We are committed to rebuilding and renewing our relationships and recognize the ongoing impacts of colonization. We want to pause, reflect, and learn during this time and honour the survivors and victims of the residential school system. During this time, there are so

September 30 has been synonymous with Orange Shirt Day and the concept of "Every Child Matters" since 2013. More recently, the federal government officially proclaimed September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It's a day that Canadians are encouraged to take time to have meaningful conversations about the effects of residential schools and their ongoing legacy. On this day, we wear orange to show our support for survivors and the countless children who didn't return home. If you are looking for ways to teach students about the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, why not start with a picture book by an Indigenous author? Picture books offer a window into the difficult topic of residential schools and help both students and teachers become comfortable with an uncomfortable topic that, quite frankly, most of us didn't learn about growing up. Let's change that for future generations! Here are 12 picture books (and a bonus title) to help you on your learning journey. BONUS: I've linked lots of FREE resources (teacher guides, lesson plans, interviews...) for you to use with your students. Before we get started, here is a must watch video by Phyllis Webstad for all educators and Canadians. Phyllis’s Orange Shirt by Phyllis Webstad ages 4-6 This book is an adaptation of Phyllis’s The Orange Shirt Story and ideal for our youngest students from Kindergarten to Grade One. Phyllis’s Orange Shirt is based on the original story but has been shortened, simplified, has a rhyming scheme and gentler images. Click here to see how CBC Kids explains Orange Shirt Day. Click here for a FREE lesson study called Becoming Comfortable with the Uncomfortable: Introducing the Topic of Residential Schools in Kindergarten. For FREE Orange Shirt Day posters click here. The Orange Shirt Story by Phyllis Webstad ages 6+ This is the true story of Phyllis and her orange shirt. When Phyllis Webstad turned six, she went to residential school for the first time. On her first day at school, she wore a shiny orange shirt that her Granny had bought for her, but when she got to the school, it was taken away from her and never returned. For a FREE K-6 Teacher Guide click here. For FREE Orange Shirt Day posters click here. Spirit Bear: Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams (based on a true story) by Cindy Blackstock ages 6-12 In this award-winning book Spirit Bear is on his way home from a sacred ceremony when he meets Jake, a friendly dog, with a bag full of paper hearts attached to wood stakes. Jakes tells Spirit Bear that school children and residential school survivors will plant the hearts when a big report on residential schools called the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC for short) is shared. For FREE online access to the book and a learning guide click here. Shi-shi-etko by Nicola Campbell ages 4-8 This is the story of how a young Interior Salish child named Shi-shi-etko spends the last four days with her family before going to residential school for the first time. For a week-long intergrated unit for Grades 1-3 based on this book click here. For a FREE Teacher's Guide click here. Shin-chi's Canoe by Nicola Campbell ages 7+ Shin-chi's Canoe is the moving sequel to Shi-shi-etko. It tells the story of siblings Shi-shi-etko and little brother, Shin-chi at residential school. It is six year old Shin-chi's first time at residential school...he is constantly hungry and lonely and can't wait until the "salmon swim up the river" when he can return home. For a week-long intergrated unit based on this book click here. For a FREE lesson study on both books click here. As Long as the Rivers Flow by Larry Loyie with Constance Brissenden ages 10-13 Award winning As Long as the Rivers Flow is the story of my late Cree uncle Larry Loyie's last summer before entering residential school. He wrote about his adventures with his family and caring for an abandoned baby owl (as well as watching his Kokom shoot a grizzly bear!) For a FREE study guide click here. Listen to my uncle Larry Loyie and my aunt Constance Brissenden be interviewed here by Rod Kurtz on CBC Radio about his memories of residential school and their book, Residential Schools, With the Words and Images of Survivors, A National History. When We Were Alone by David Robertson ages 4-8 When We Were Alone is the conversation between a young child and her grandmother about residential school. It is a story of connection, empowerment and strength. For a FREE parent/teacher's guide to the book click here. Watch this interview from TVOkids of David Robertson discussing the book as well as what reconciliation means. The Train by Jodie Callaghan ages 6-9 This story centers around a conversation that Ashley and her Great-Uncle have about his time at residential school. For FREE lessons and interactive activities from The Train click here. When I Was Eight by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Olelaum Pokiak-Fenton ages 6-9 Based on the true story of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton When I Was Eight makes the bestselling Fatty Legs accessible to younger readers. It is the story of eight year old Olemaun during her time at residential school and her desire to learn how to read. For FREE lesson plans based on When I was Eight click here. Not my Girl by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Olelaum Pokiak-Fenton ages 6-9 Based on the true story of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, Not my Girl is a sequel to the picture book When I Was Eight. It's a poignant story of a determined young girl’s struggle to belong in her family after returning from residential school two years later. For FREE lesson plans click here Stolen Words by Melanie Florence ages 6-9 Stolen Words tells the story of a relationship between a grandfather and his granddaughter. It centers around the loss of the grandfather's Cree language as a direct result of being forced to attend residential school. For a FREE teaching guide click here. Meet Tom Longboat by Elizabeth MacLeod (non-Indigenous author) ages 6-10 This is the story of legendary long distance runner Tom Longboat. The book does an excellent job of retelling Tom Longboat's coming of age in the early 1900's from his time in residential school, as one of the world's most famous athletes and as a World War I dispatch runner. For a FREE unit click here. Speaking our Truth by Monique Gray Smith ages 12-14 Last but not least, Speaking Our Truth was written to help young people understand the impact of residential schools. Readers will learn about the lives of Survivors and how to put the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into action. Watch this video of Monique Gray Smith discussing how to talk to kids about residential schools.

Orange Shirt Day is held on September 30 to honour the children of Residential Schools. We've collected activities to use in your classroom.

September 30 - National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada As we reflect on and learn about the effects of the residential school experience on Canadian indigenous peoples, picture books are a great help in making connections for primary and early elementary students. The pages in this resource package help teachers and students reflect on three such books: Shi-shi-etko by Nicola Campbell (Groundwood Books) and its sequel, Shin-chi’s Canoe by Nicola Campbell (Groundwood Books) When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson (HighWater Press)

While honoring the survivors of residential schools was among the 94 Calls to Action put forward by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, remembrance without action rings hollow.

This week was Truth and Reconciliation Week in Canada. Although officially recognized over one week, these are conversations and teachings that should happen throughout the school year, not just one week, or one day. Reconciliation is about building relationships and respect, and that just cannot be reduced to a week. I wanted to share some of the activities, readings, and discussions I had with my Grade 5/6 class this year, mainly inspired by this resource, Every Child Matters. After reading the book Trudy's Rock Story, and discussing how Trudy uses rocks to relieve her anger and release her feelings, we decided that making our own Resilience Rocks could help us process some of our feelings about Canada's history, mainly anger and confusion, and by placing them back on the Earth, we could release some of the feelings and remember to act. Tuesday we started painting our rocks orange while I read the story, I am Not a Number. (We used acrylic paint - I would suggest spray paint - we had to do many many coats of acrylic paint, and them still seal them). We also watch a video from residential school survivor, Lillian Elias, and then used orange sticky notes to send her a message. Wednesday we sealed the rocks with an outdoor mod podge. We did this BEFORE they wrote on them, otherwise the sharpie marker would pull the paint off when we wrote. We read the story, When I was Eight, and wrote some more reflections on sticky notes. Thursday was Truth and Reconciliation Day and Orange Shirt Day. For art in the morning, we looked at beautiful examples of Indigenous Art and Artists - current and past. We worked on Canada Goose Drawings, inspired by Benjamin Chee Chee. We chose the Canada Goose because we liked how they inspired flight - and they may have to move or leave for a bit, but they always come back, stronger. I let the students use their laptops to look at different images while they drew their own. These turned out stunningly. Even mine - and I usually struggle with a stick figure. We had been talking about what message we wanted to share on Orange Shirt Day on our Resilience Rocks, and had brainstormed a long list over the week. Some students wanted to apologize, others wanted to send a word of support or strength, and some just wanted to share their beliefs that every child really does matter. We knew we would placing the rocks around our school yard and school community and we wanted to choose something that would inspire continuing to spread this message - that every child matters and why we need to understand why. In the afternoon we took a 2.15 km walk (for the 215 children found in Kamloops) and placed our Resilience Rocks around the school community. As we walked in our orange shirts, we were careful to spread them out around our route so we could share our messages with our small community. I told my students that if they were able, it would be nice to bring their grown-ups to where they placed their rocks earlier, and tell them about our learning and their reflections from the week. Our last day was spent working on the writing reflection, "If I was given a $1000 budget to plan an Orange Shirt Day event at my school, this is what I would do." Again, this was our week of Truth and Reconciliation activities in the classroom, but our conversations won't end at the end of the week. This acknowledgement and promise to learn the truth will continue throughout our whole year of curriculum. If you are looking to add more indigenous-themed books and authors to your classroom, HERE is a good place to get started. How were some ways you observed Truth and Reconciliation week at your school?

Orange Shirt Day is held on September 30 to honour the children of Residential Schools. We've collected activities to use in your classroom.

So what is at the core of Truth and Reconciliation in K to 12? What does it actually look like in the day-to-day classroom activities of our children, youth and young adults? This article offers a glimpse of the possibilities for relationship building, curriculum connections and personal growth.

Activities for Orange Shirt Day for upper elementary and middle school with teaching ideas and resources to engage young learners.

I lost my talk The talk you took away When I was a little girl At Shubenacadie school. One of Rita Joe's most influential poems, "I Lost My Talk" tells the revered Mi'kmaw Elder's childhood story of losing her language while a resident of the residential school in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia. An often quoted piece in this era of truth and reconciliation, Joe's powerful words explore and celebrate the survival of Mi'kmaw culture and language despite its attempted eradication. A companion book to the simultaneously published I'm Finding My Talk by Rebecca Thomas, I Lost My Talk is a necessary reminder of a dark chapter in Canada's history, a powerful reading experience, and an effective teaching tool for young readers of all cultures and backgrounds. Includes a biography of Rita Joe and striking colour illustrations by Mi'kmaw artist Pauline Young.   Author: Born in poverty on a reserve in Cape Breton, Rita Joe survived on sheer guts and compassion. Artist: Pauline Young is a visual artist who was first exposed to the creative world through her father, Phillip Young, an internationally renowned artist, who painted the bottoms of her feet. She still recalls the smooth sensation of paint oozing between her toes. She draws her inspiration from him and the natural environment and is always looking down to see what the ground can offer, such as incorporating beach sand and red oxide sand into her paintings.

September 30 is known as Orange Shirt Day. Find Orange Shirt Day resources for middle school students in this blog post.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Rolihlahla Mandela was born on 18 July 1918. He was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and politician who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the first black South African to hold the office. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutional racism, poverty, inequality, while fostering racial reconciliation. Mandela was Xhosa born to the Thembu royal family, and attended Fort Hare University and the University of Witwatersrand, where he studied law. Mandela got the first name of Nelson when he was in primary school. "No one in my family had ever attended school...On the first day of school my teacher, Miss Mdingane, gave each of us an English name. This was custom among Africans in those days and was undoubtedly due to the British bias of our education. That day, Miss Mdingane told me that my new name was Nelson. Why this particular name I have no idea." -Mandela, 1994 Living in Johannesburg, he became involved in anti-colonial politics, joining the ANC (African National Congress) and became a founding member of its Youth League. In 1948, the Afrikaner nationalist party (the National Party) came into power and began implementing the policies of Apartheid. In 1962, Mandela was arrested, convicted of sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government and sentenced to life imprisonment. Robben Island [located off of Cape Town-- you can see Table Mountain in the background] The poem Mandela memorized and claimed to be his inspiration while he was in prison Mandela served 27 years in prison, with most of those years being served on Robben Island (off of Cape Town). An international campaign lobbied for his release, which was granted in 1990. After becoming President of the ANC, Mandela published his autobiography and led negations with President F.W. de Klerk to abolish Apartheid and establish multi-racial elections in 1994, which he led to an ANC victory. Mandela was elected President of the Republic of South Africa and formed a government of national unity. As President, he established a new constitution and initiated the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate past human rights abuses, while introducing policies to encourage land reform, combat poverty, and expand healthcare services. Controversially, Mandela oversaw the formation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate crime committed under Apartheid by both the government and the ANC. He appointed Desmond Tutu as its chair. To prevent the creation of martyrs, the Commission granted individual amnesties in exchange for testimony of crimes committed during the Apartheid era. Dedicated in February 1996, it held two years of hearings detailing rapes, tortures, bombings, and assassinations, before its final report in October 1998. Mandela lived simply, donating a third of his R552,000 annual income to the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, which he founded in 1995. Presiding over the transition from Apartheid minority rule to a multicultural democracy, Mandela saw national reconciliation as the primary task of his presidency. Having seen other post-colonial African economies damaged by the departure of white elites, Mandela worked to reassure South Africa's white population that they were protected and represented in the "Rainbow nation". Mandela encouraged black South Africans to get behind the previously hated national rugby team, the Springboks (movie: Invictus), as South Africa hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup. After the Springboks won an epic final over New Zealand, Mandela presented the trophy to captain Francois Pienaar, an Afrikaner, wearing a Springbok shirt with Pienaar's number 6 on the back. This was widely seen as a major step in the reconciliation of white and black South Africans. As de Klerk later put it, "Mandela won the hearts of millions of white rugby fans". Mandela's efforts at reconciliation assuaged the fears of whites, but drew criticism from more militant blacks. Mandela has received international acclaim for his anti-colonial and anti-Apartheid stance, having received over 250 awards, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Soviet Order of Lenin. He is held in deep respect within South Africa and has been described as the "father of the nation". He is often referred to as Tata Madiba, which is his Xhosa clan name. Mandela's 90th birthday was marked across the country on 18 July 2008, with the main celebrations held in Qunu. In his speech, Mandela called for the rich to help the poor across the world. Needless to say, Nelson Mandela is a spectacular human being. He exhibits what it means to be compassionate, open, and humble. For someone to come out of jail after nearly 30 years and preach reconciliation is a testamant to the kind of man Mandela was. Desmond Mpilo Tutu Desmond Tutu was born 7 October 1931 and is a South African social rights activist and retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of Apartheid. He was the first black South AFrican Archbishop of Cape Town and Primate of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa. Tutu has been active in the defense of human rights and uses his high profile to campaign for the oppressed. He has campaigned to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, poverty, racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism (1986), the Pacem in Terris Award (1987), Sydney Peace Prize (1999), the Ghandi Peace Prize (2007), and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2009). He has also compiled several books of his speeches and sayings. Although Tutu wanted to become a doctor, his family could not afford the training, and he followed in his father's footsteps into teaching. Tutu studied in Pretoria and Johannesburg. However, he resigned from teaching following the passage of the Bantu Education Act, in protest of the poor educational prospects for black South Africans. Tutu then returned to his studies, this time focusing in theology. On 2 July 1955, Tutu married Nomalizo Leah Shenxane, a teacher whom he had met while in college. They had four children: Trevor Thamsanqa Tutu, Theresa Thandeka Tutu, Naomi Nontombi Tutu, and Mpho Andrea Tutu. In 1960, he was ordained as an Anglican priest. During Apartheid, Tutu supported an economic boycott of his country. He vigorously opposed the "constructive engagement" policy of the Reagan administration, which advocated "friendly persuasion". Tutu supported disinvestment, although it hit the poor hardest. When disinvestment threw blacks out of work, Tutu argued, at least they were suffering "with a purpose". In 1985, the US & UK stopped any investments in South Africa. As a result, disinvestment succeeded causing the value of the Rand to plunge more than 35%, which pressured the government towards reform. Tutu pressed the advantage and organized peaceful marches which brought 30,000 people into the streets of Cape Town. Tutu was Bishop of Lesotho from 1976-1978, when he became Secretary-General of the South African Council of Churches. From this position, he was able to continue his work against Apartheid with agreement from nearly all churches. Through his writings and lectures at home and abroad, Tutu consistently advocated reconciliation between all parties involved in Apartheid. Tutu's opposition to Apartheid was vigorous and unequivocal, and he was outspoken both in South Africa and abroad. He often compared Apartheid to Nazism and Communism. As a result the government twice revoked his passport and he was jailed briefly in 1980. After the fall of Apartheid, Tutu headed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He retired as Archbishop of Cape Town in 1996, and was made Emeritus Archbishop of Cape Town (an honorary title that is unusual in the Anglican church). Since his retirement, Tutu has worked as a global activist on issues pertaining to democracy, freedom, and human rights. In 2006, Tutu launched a global campaign to ensure that all children are registered at birth (as unregistered children do not officially exist and are vulnerable to traffickers during disasters). Tutu is regarded as "South Africa's moral conscience", and has been described by Mandela as, "sometimes strident, often tender, never afraid, and seldom without humor. Desmond Tutu's voice will always be the voice of the voiceless". Since retirement, Tutu has worked to critique the new South African government. Tutu has been vocal in his condemnation of corruption and the ineffectiveness of the ANC-led government to deal with poverty or the recent outbreaks of xenophobic violence in some South African townships. Tutu has also been vocal in his criticism of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, as well as South Africa's policy of "quiet diplomacy" towards Zimbabwe. In 2007, he said the "quiet diplomacy" had not worked at all and called upon Western powers and other Southern African countries to set firm deadlines for action, with consequences if they were not met. Tutu has often criticized Mugabe and has described the autocratic leader as, "a cartoon figure of an archetypical African dictator" [Mugabe has called Tutu an "angry, evil, and embittered little bishop"]. In 2008, tutu called for the international community to intervene in Zimbabwe- by force if necessary. It is clear why Desmond Tutu is regarded as one of the most important men in South Africa. His work against Apartheid and in the reconciliation of the country has helped lead South Africa to where it is today.

Discover insightful articles on Is It Time for Truth and Reconciliation in the U.S.?. Join us in exploring solutions for a just, sustainable, and compassionate world. #Is It Time for Truth and Reconciliation in the U.S.?

Created by an Indigenous educator! Learn about Indigenous art, the cultural importance of art, the different types of Indigenous and Native art and why it is so important to support Indigenous artists. Learn about incredible Roy Henry Vickers and his artwork. Students will complete an art project inspired by his work. Perfect for Truth and Reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day, Indigenous Peoples Day. Resource created for grades 3+. *artwork on cover is a student made piece, inspired by the artist featured in this resource* Page 1: Lesson plan Page 2: Culture, types of Indigenous artwork Page 3: Supporting Indigenous artists, plagiarism Page 4: Indigenous artist spotlight: Roy Henry Vickers Page 5: Roy Henry Vickers Inspired Art Project (step by step instructions) Page 6-7: Examples of student artwork / ideas for cut outs

Ideal for your truth and reconciliation journey with Indigenous peoples in Canada, featuring five student activities and a comprehensive checklist for crafting a land acknowledgement. Through these Indigenous Education activities, students will establish connections with the land they inhabit, identify the Indigenous territories they reside in, and independently compose their own land acknowledgements, fostering understanding and respect for Indigenous lands and peoples. Page 1: Land Acknowledgement Lesson Plan Page 2: Understanding Land Acknowledgement handout (brainstorming activity included) Page 3: Creating Land Acknowledgements checklist Page 4: Land Acknowledgement reflection questions (worksheet) Page 5: My Land Acknowledgement fill in the blanks template Page 6: My Land Acknowledgement fill in the blanks template (example) Page 7: My Land Acknowledgement worksheet (illustration and written acknowledgement activity) Page 8: I live on ______ lands colouring sheet

Activities for Orange Shirt Day for upper elementary and middle school with teaching ideas and resources to engage young learners.

This resource is a collection of 40+ printable images that are meant as prompts to elicit inquiry, conversations and learning around cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation in your classroom. Also included is a one page resource list of digital links to five articles, seven TV & radio interviews and five printed texts about Cultural Appropriation.Teachers are not ignoring Indigenous history, they simply need accessible and engaging resources to help them learn and teach it. Each image is labeled with a description, as it was described by the photographer/ seller, unless the image needs no description. Teachers are encouraged to colour print and laminate these images for durability. How can I use this in my classroom? *Discussion prompts as a whole class *Cultural Appropriation or Appreciation continuum scale display *Writing provocations (p.8) *Inquiry board images *Small group debates *Potential research topics *Drama: act out a scene inspired by an image *Article reviews *Media literacy What’s included? *Forty-five 8.5 x 11 colour images *Cultural Appropriation definition poster *Cultural Appreciation definition poster *One page resource list of digital links to five articles, seven TV & radio interviews and five printed texts about Cultural Appropriation *One writing response page *Cultural Appropriation or Cultural Appreciation continuum activity posters Tell me about the Images *dolls, sport team jerseys, tipis, clothing, jewelry, artists, Coachella, Halloween costumes, toys, sporting material, Pow Wow posters, adding all the time Some of the images are uncomfortable to look at but have been included to assist in having truthful discussions and will hopefully spark interest in your students (especially the Medicine Woman costume on p.26 around Halloween). It is time for teachers to implement The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action. We have a duty to educate all students about the histories and contemporary realities of Indigenous peoples in Canada.   _________________________________________________________________________________ In order to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada made 94 Calls to Action. These resources were created in response to the Commission’s 62nd and 63rd Calls to Action: Introduction to Residential Schools for Kids Unit One: Shi-shi-etko Introduction to Residential Schools for Kids Unit Two: Shin-chi's Canoe (part of the Teach for Justice collection) Meet Tom Longboat-Indigenous Hero: freebie (part of the Teach for Justice collection) Orange Shirt Day: freebie la Journée du chandail orange: gratuit _________________________________________________________________________________ The Primary Patch on Instagram The Primary Patch Blog *************************************************************************** Customer Tips: How to get TPT credit to use on future purchases: • Please go to your My Purchases page (you may need to login). Beside each purchase you'll see a Provide Feedback button. Simply click it and you will be taken to a page where you can give a quick rating and leave a short comment for the product. Each time you give feedback, TPT gives you feedback credits that you use to lower the cost of your future purchases. I value your feedback. Be the first to know about product sales, freebies and product launches: • Look for the green star next to my store logo and click it to become a follower. Voilà! You will now receive email updates about my store. ***************************************************************************

Since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its Calls to Action in June 2015, governments, churches, non-profit, professional and community organizations, corporations, schools and universities, clubs and individuals have asked: “How can I/we participate in reconciliation?" Recognizing that reconciliation is not only an ultimate goal, but a decolonizing process of journeying in ways that embody everyday acts of resistance, resurgence, and solidarity, coupled with renewed commitments to justice, dialogue, and relationship-building, Pathways of Reconciliation helps readers find their way forward. The essays in Pathways of Reconciliation address the themes of reframing, learning and healing, researching, and living. They engage with different approaches to reconciliation (within a variety of reconciliation frameworks, either explicit or implicit) and illustrate the complexities of the reconciliation process itself. They canvass multiple and varied pathways of reconciliation, from Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives, reflecting a diversity of approaches to the mandate given to all Canadians by the TRC with its Calls to Action. Together the authors—academics, practitioners, students and ordinary citizens—demonstrate the importance of trying and learning from new and creative approaches to thinking about and practicing reconciliation and reflect on what they have learned from their attempts (both successful and less successful) in the process.

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Celebrate Truth and Reconciliation Day (Orange Shirt Day) with this comprehensive resource bundle designed to foster understanding and empathy among students. These resources are made for primary students. Resources Included: 1. Indigenous People in Canada: Engage students with two hassle-free activities that explore the rich heritage of Indigenous peoples in Canada. 2. Residential Schools Lesson: Delve into the profound impact of residential schools with a detailed three-page handout, accompanied by reflection questions and an answer key. 3. Phyllis's Orange Shirt - Reading Response: Read Phyllis's Orange Shirt, about residential schools in Canada. Reflection questions with answer key, drawing reflection SEL activity. 4. Residential School Empathy Activity (Every Child Activity): Deepen students' comprehension of the impact of residential schools with perceptive exercises, including a writing prompt and a bulletin board activity fostering empathy and awareness. 5. Land Acknowledgement Package: Instill the importance of acknowledging and connecting with the land by guiding students through crafting their own Land Acknowledgements. 6. Orange Shirt Day Printables: Prepare for Orange Shirt Day with two engaging activities tailored for elementary students, featuring colouring page posters and writing prompts. This bundle offers a perfect reconciliation activity for primary-aged students, facilitating meaningful discussions and learning experiences around Truth and Reconciliation Day.

Stolen Words by Melanie Florence is a beautiful story of truth and reconciliation. I highly recommend this story for teaching your students about residential schools and truth and reconciliation this Truth and Reconciliation Day. A grandfather has his language stolen from him at residential school and his granddaughter helps him to get his words back. This story is forward looking and uplifting! This resource includes literacy activities to accompany this beautiful story. It incudes handouts and graphic organizers to assist students. This product also contains teacher notes, to expand on your own knowledge of Residential Schools, so you can teach confidently and respectfully on this important subject matter. You may also be interested in my Orange Shirt Day lesson: Orange Shirt Day and Truth and Reconciliation Lesson Plans and Activities (teacherspayteachers.com) Or some of my other Orange Shirt Day literacy activities: Phyllis's Orange Shirt: Residential School Literacy Activities | TPT (teacherspayteachers.com) When We Were Alone: Literacy Activities - Orange Shirt Day & Residential Schools (teacherspayteachers.com) This lesson is also part of my Orange Shirt Day Bundle: Orange Shirt Day Residential Schools Bundle by MsSTeachingIdeas | TpT (teacherspayteachers.com) If you enjoy this resource please consider rating it, and following my Teachers Pay Teacher store, at the link below: MsSTeachingIdeas Teaching Resources | Teachers Pay Teachers

**SPECIAL LIMITED RUN FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION DAY. THERE WILL BE 215 PRINTS AVAILABLE FOR ONLY $2.15CAD** What You Get 1x High Resolution Digital Watercolor Download Code 5x Sizes - For any space, on any wall 1x Discount Code for 25% your next purchase Embrace the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation Day with our 'Orange Feather of Reconciliation' digital print. This poignant artwork features a vibrant orange feather, symbolizing hope, healing, and unity. The orange feather has become a powerful emblem of the reconciliation process, signifying the collective journey towards understanding, acknowledgment, and respect for Indigenous cultures and histories. It serves as a reminder of the importance of honoring truth, fostering empathy, and working together to build a more inclusive and harmonious future. Hang this digital print proudly in your home, office, or sacred space as a symbol of your commitment to reconciliation and solidarity with Indigenous communities. Let it serve as a visual reminder of the ongoing work we must do to create a more just and equitable society.

Perfect resource for your truth and reconciliation journey! Includes a 3 page handout on Canada's residential schools, reflection questions with answer key. Ideal to begin with when you are teaching Indigenous topics or participating in Orange Shirt Day. While I recommend this for grades 4-7, I have taught this lesson to grades 2 and 3 as well. Page 1: Residential Schools: notes for teachers Page 2: Residential Schools: overview, who went to the schools Page 3: Residential Schools: life at residential schools Page 4: Where were the schools located? (map, pictures) Page 5: Residential Schools: reflection questions Page 6: Reflection question answer key Page 7: Residential School reading list Huy ch q'u! (Thank you)

**PROCEEDS FROM ALL SALES WILL BE DONATED TO THE ORANGE SHIRT SOCIETY** September 30th in Canada is not only Orange Shirt Day/la Journée du chandail orange but also National Day of Truth and Reconciliation/la Journée nationale de la vérité et de la réconciliation. Teach the meaning and importance of September 30th with this collaborative poster activity! The 25 page posters come in 6 different designs with assembling instructions. Poster size with margins cut is 38 x 51 inches. I have also included the designs as colouring pages! Perfect for early finishers or to leave in sub plans! Included: 6 Orange Shirt Day themed collaborative posters (PDF documents) 6 Orange Shirt Day themed colouring pages (PDF document) Instructions for assembling with example of completed posters (PDF document) TERMS OF USE 1. Every page of this product is copyrighted. You may not create anything to sell or share based on this product. 2. Please do not share this product with others as it is for one teacher use only. 3. Question, comment or suggestion? Use the Q & A or send me an email at [email protected]! Credits Amy Groesbeck Fonts Kaitlynn Albani Fonts Creative Clips Meghan Makes Stuff Vinnie Pearce Design Rainbow Sprinkle Studio Educlips Flaticon Follow French Toast Lessons! Thank you for downloading this resource! Follow French Toast Lessons by clicking here! Leave feeback on my products and receive TpT credits! ***To see how I use some of my resources in the classroom and for more creative and fun FSL activities, please follow me on INSTAGRAM @ french.toast.lessons***

Stop Hitting Snooze and Start Living Radically for Jesus In this 5-session Bible study, author and speaker Gabrielle Odom invites girls to wake up from cultural Christianity and join the mission of restoring the Word of God in the next generation. As she teaches the meaning of reverence, repentance, redemption, and reconciliation, a generation plagued by relativity will begin to discover a clear view of who God is and what His Word says. So, what are you waiting for? Rise up! Run to the Savior and discover the joy of being transformed by the power of the gospel. See for yourself that God is holy, His Word is true, He can be trusted, and there's no better mission than to commit your life to glorifying Him.

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Includes EIGHT activities (one for each teaching plus a booklet activity) for you and your students to learn all about the 7 Indigenous Sacred Teachings. Each animal comes with a cultural teaching (life lesson). Students make a booklet of teachings, and complete 1 activity for every animal. I teach this over multiple weeks as it is quite thorough. Recommended grades: 2-6 Page 1: "My 7 Sacred Teachings Booklet" activity Page 2: Self Love Jar of Feathers activity (Eagle) Page 3: Respect questions (Buffalo) Page 4: Be Courageous activity (Bear) Page 5: Honesty is Important activity (Sasquatch) Page 6:The Story of Two Wolves Page 7: Humble Like Wolf Activity (Wolf) Page 8: You Are Wise activity (Beaver) Page 9: Live the Truth colouring sheet (Turtle) Page 10: Lesson Plan page 1 Page 11: Lesson Plan page 2 Huy ch q'u! (Thank you)