For a full listing of National Indigenous Peoples Day events taking place in Toronto and across Canada, visit the National Indigenous Peoples Day Government website. Indigenous Education seeks to improve success and supports for Indigenous students, and increase the presence of Indigenous culture, languages and history for all students. This eye is to remind us that we are always being watched by the Creator, the ancestors, the community, our family, our friends and ourselves. The meaning behind the Reconciliation Pole is to unite everyone - nə́c̓aʔmat ct - 'we are one’ as we walk forth continuing to learn and understand what reconciliation means in education. In this case, we are working for the Vancouver School Board, but we are also working for the generations that aren’t here yet; There is lots of work to be done around Truth and Reconciliation. When non-Indigenous people learn about the rich histories, cultures and contemporary contexts of diverse Indigenous peoples, cross-cultural understandings occurs and a common commitment is formed, leading to equitable and more inclusive learning spaces. Indigenous education is not just for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, but for all students and staff. In the words of survivor and author Larry Loyie, it may also be seen as a day for “the students of today who want to know about the students of yesterday” (Residential Schools: With the Words and Images of Survivors, 2014). In our culture we always had to look back seven generations from ourselves. As a result, Indigenous experiences have often been neglected or excluded from the telling of our country’s history.

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Orange Shirt Day has been marked across Canada in a variety of ways, including Orange Ribbon campaigns, commemorative walks, and wearing orange shirts.

It is leaning and diving quickly with its wings folded behind it. From L to R: Female Welcome Figure, Reconciliation Pole, Male Welcome Figure.

This represents all the ancestors before us in a symbolic way that refers to the past. Resources have been posted for teachers which can be accessed by TDSB staff. We were open and willing to share our knowledge and culture to bridge the gap, to educate, and to show how we can all connect. The interweaving of the blanket represents all the cultures that are woven together. Visit orangshirtday.org to learn more about this year's commemorative events.. Indigenous Education Month in the Toronto District School Board. The three poles pay homage to all Indigenous nations in Canada including Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, as well as néhiyaw, Metis and Anishinaabe. However, we carved a buffalo this time to represent other First Nations peoples, who consider the buffalo as their sacred animal that is closely connected to the Creator. Marked annually on September 30th, this day acknowledges the residential school system in Canada, honours those that survived, remembers those who did not, and recognizes the ongoing effects of intergenerational trauma. Louis Riel was a great Métis leader who helped his people form a government and become part of the newly created Dominion of Canada in 1870.

", Commemorating Indigenous Veterans, November 8. Our strength lies in our history, and that is also why she is at the bottom. In one instance every male of the Nawash Reserve on Georgian Bay (Chippewas) enlisted, as did all but three on the Golden Lake Reserve (Algonquins). It was immediately confiscated by the staff and replaced with a uniform.

And those who remained in Canada also made important contributions, donating over $67,000 to war relief through the Red Cross and Salvation Army, and offering up reserve land for use as defense posts, airports and training grounds. This Truth and Reconciliation pole which we may now call a totem pole, is a 44-foot tall red cedar from upper Squamish, estimated to be 350-years-old, or more. National Indigenous Peoples Day Government website, Visit the Urban Indigenous Education Centre on Facebook, In a landmark decision, on April 14, 2016, the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in, The National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) called for the creation of National. To provide a few examples, these include: There is much to learn and to celebrate. Below the blanket is a buffalo head. The Toronto District School Board is committed to equity and community engagement, and by providing this tool, we are making our information more accessible to families whose first language is not English. Below the buffalo is an eagle, which symbolizes vision, wisdom, and power. In my culture, a person who wears the blanket over the heart means they are conducting a sacred ceremony for the family. Additionally, the City of Toronto proclaimed November 16, “Louis Riel Day” and the Métis flag is raised at City Hall. To enable all students to reach high levels of achievement and well-being, Scarborough Centre for Employment Accessibility, Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit School, Alternative Schools Community Advisory Committee, Black Student Achievement Community Advisory Committee, Community Use of Schools Community Advisory Committee, Environmental Sustainability Community Advisory Committee, Equity Policy Community Advisory Committee, French as a Second Language Advisory Committee, Urban Indigenous Community Advisory Committee, Approved Fundraising and Fun Fair Vendors, School Council Financial Information Webinar December 16, 2019, School Council Roles and Responsibilities, Responsibilities, Emergency and Safety Information, Indigenous Education Days of Significance, Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, Responsibilities, Emergency & Safety Info, Indigenous Education Days of Significance Poster, Indigenous Education Days of Significance Poster (text only).

The electronic translation service is hosted by Google Translate. The Vancouver School Board does not guarantee the quality, accuracy or completeness of any translated information. The Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair has stated “reconciliation must fall in the hands of Canadians, not solely with Indigenous peoples.” Ultimately, wearing orange shirts on September 30 is a visual reminder of our shared past as Indigenous  and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada, and provides an opportunity for dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in shaping our shared future. Google Translate Frequently Asked Questions. Indigenous education is not just for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, but for all students and staff. A Reconciliation Pole, similar to a totem pole, tells a story about a person and what they did for their tribe, as you read it from top to bottom. While the buffalo has a place on our pole for those nations, we actually wish to honour all First Nations peoples, since they all lived on the lands before any other person voyaged here. In 2013, Webstad transformed her dehumanizing experiences of residential school into something positive by working with then National Grand Chief Shawn Atleo and the Assembly of First Nations to establish a nationally recognized Orange Shirt Day.

Altogether, more than 7,000 Status Natives and 5,000 Non-Status Natives, along with a large number of Métis and Inuit people, left their homes and families to serve Canada in those two conflicts. Through social media campaigns it has also gone global, reaching as far as Italy and Sweden. As stated by former Métis Nation of Ontario President, Tony Belcourt, ''November 16th marks a significant occasion of observance for the Métis Nation. The quality of the translation will vary in some of the languages offered by Google. Before you act on translated information, we encourage you to confirm any facts that are important to you or may affect any decisions you make. This also came through in our engagement with the public during the carving process. National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day. The electronic translation service on the Toronto District School Board website is hosted by Google Translate, a third party service. At the bottom of the male figure is a beaver, who is the builder of homes and looks after his family. June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. Our ancestors said that the eagle could communicate with the Creator. ), Referrals and student networking within the Indigenous community. Meetings are open to the public and are held regularly, We seek valuable input from Parent Advisory Council, Student Council and others, Substance Use Health Promotion Initiative - SACY, Supporting And Connecting Youth (SACY) to prevent/delay substance use, and reduce substance use related problems, Check out the multilingual publications and videos to help students and parents, Meaning behind the Reconciliation Pole and Welcome Figures, Thunderbird & Mother Earth: represents the Creator (the Great Spirit) protecting Mother Earth, Coast Salish eye: represents the Creator watching over us, Frog: represents the communicator passing down traditions to future generations, Cedar woven blanket: represents interweaving all cultures together, Buffalo head: represents all First Nations people. Google Translate is a free service and currently offers translation in over 100 languages, but does not capture all languages or dialects. The wings transform into hands, and they hold onto Mother Earth, which is being guarded from harm. Indigenous Education in British Columbia. At the bottom of the Welcome Figure is a women wearing a traditional cedar hat and a long cedar blanket with Coast Salish form lines. That we, nature and mother earth are not separate -- but part of a larger whole. On Remembrance Day and throughout Veterans' Week, take time to learn more about the contributions and sacrifices of Canada’s Indigenous veterans. The high school, located in the hamlet of Gjoa Haven on King William Island, is one of two schools in the community.

Despite Riel's assistance, the federal government ignored Métis concerns, which led to the declaration of a provisional Métis government. In schools across the Toronto District School Board, we honour this day through building knowledge about the histories and current contexts of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

The meaning behind the Reconciliation Pole is to unite everyone - nə́c̓aʔmat ct - 'we are one’ as we walk forth continuing to learn and understand what reconciliation means in education.