Let's Learn Together
September 30th is National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. This is a day of remembrance, reflection, action, and learning.
Yesterday, thousands of children from all across Canada came together to participate in our Orange Shirt Day Event with Coast Salish Author, Courtney Defriend. Courtney read her book If Instead of a Person, and we listened as she explained that at Residential Schools, Indigenous children were not allowed to learn the traditional teachings of their culture. Thank you to the 1700 teachers who registered their students to take part in this day of learning!
The Truth and Reconciliation process does not end on September 30th, but rather this is just the beginning of our learning journey. I have prepared some learning resources for both children and adults. This is not intended to be an exhaustive collection of resources, but rather a starting point for further discovery.
Resources for Learners
2021 Orange Shirt Day Author Visit
Join over 36000 other children from all across Canada in learning from Coast Salish Author, Courtney Defriend. During this Author Visit, Courtney shares her book with us while integrating themes of Truth and Reconciliation in an age appropriate manner. This event is designed for kids in Kindergarten to Grade 4ish.
Virtual Classroom
Our Orange Shirt Day Virtual Classroom is filled with child-friendly learning resources for kids to explore as they learn more about Orange Shirt Day. To keep students safe, all YouTube videos are linked through SafeShare which removes advertisements and suggested videos.
Printable Resources
This resource package was created as a companion to our Orange Shirt Day Event but also contains colouring pages and reflection activities that can be used with any of the videos or books in the Virtual Classroom.
Children's Books
One of the best ways to approach difficult topics is through picture books. Here are a few of our favourites. These books are on the shelves in the Virtual Classroom leading to read aloud videos.
Other Great Children's Books
Resources for Grown-Ups
Learning about Orange Shirt Day is not just for our kids. As adults we also have a lot to learn – and a lot to un-learn. Below are some resources that I have found helpful in my own learning journey. I will add more as I work through my long list of things to read and watch.
Books for Grown-Ups
Videos to Watch
Other Ideas...
There is so much to learn and so many other amazing resources out there. Please let me know in the comments (or at hayley@joyfullearning.net) if you have any suggestions of other resources I could include in this list!
Learn more about Truth and Reconciliation – Calls to Action here.
If you would like to help, please support Indian Residential School Survivors Society. Visit their website here.
The National Indian Residential School 24-hour Crisis Line is available for Residential School survivors and those affected by this tragedy. Call the 24-hour crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.
