Surrey Schools marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with learning and action

Surrey Schools is located on the traditional, unceded and shared territories of Coast Salish peoples, including the Katzie (q̓íc̓əy̓), Kwantlen (q̓ʷa:n̓ƛ̓ən̓) and Semiahmoo First Nations. Tomorrow is the sixth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to remember the children who never came home from residential schools, honour survivors, their families and communities, and reflect on the 94 Calls to Action released by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada 11 years ago. Schools are closed for the Sept. 30 statutory holiday, and students and staff across Surrey and White Rock are spending this week learning, reflecting and coming together.

Students and staff across the district are wearing orange shirts to remember children lost to residential schools and honour survivors. Orange Shirt Day began with survivor Phyllis Webstad's account of having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day at residential school. This year’s district designs were created by M.B. Sanford Elementary Grade 6 student Macallie Sparvier and Bre Willoughby, a Semiahmoo First Nation artist and former Surrey Schools student.

École Salish Secondary is holding two days of recognition this week: a Day of Truth on Monday and a Day of Reconciliation on Tuesday. The school’s HOWL (Honour, Observe, Wonder, Learn) Committee, a group of Salish educators, designed and is leading learning opportunities for students and staff. Over the two days, students are exploring Indigenous history, culture and reconciliation through activities that include studying large-scale maps showing the 202 First Nations in British Columbia, the 634 First Nations across Canada and treaty lands; learning about traditional teas, Indigenous art, music and storytelling; circle sharing; discussing how they can contribute to reconciliation as they learn about the 94 Calls to Action; exploring trickster figures in Indigenous stories and literature; viewing meaningful objects shared by staff and students; and taking part in beading and smudging ceremonies. Salish also welcomed students from Regent Road Elementary, who will attend Salish in the future. The school hopes to include more schools from its catchment area in future years.

Fraser Heights Secondary students will hear from Rosie Archie of Nations Skate Youth about her skateboarding career, her work with the non-profit and her collaborations across the skate industry. Nations Skate Youth was co-founded by Joe Buffalo, a professional skateboarder and residential school survivor. The school is also hosting a mini art exhibit, with skateboards featuring Indigenous artwork and descriptions displayed throughout the building.

At Brookside and George Vanier elementary schools, students from kindergarten to Grade 7 painted rocks to show what Truth and Reconciliation means to them. The rocks are being placed on cedar in new Truth and Reconciliation gardens as lasting reminders of students’ reflections. At South Meridian Elementary, students will take part in a drumming circle led by a Semiahmoo First Nation community member.