The Sooke School District Board of Education acknowledges the role education played in the tragic history and legacy of residential schooling in Canada. We honour and offer space for survivors, missing children, their families and the communities affected by the residential schooling system. It is our responsibility to learn from the atrocities and systemic violence committed against Indigenous peoples. Most importantly, it is our time to listen.
We affirm our commitment to walking the path of truth and reconciliation in support of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across the country. One of the ways we are working towards this is our Na’tsa’maht Enhancement Agreement. The Na’tsa’maht Enhancement Agreement is developed in consultation with local First Nations: Sc’ianew, T’Sou-ke and Pacheedaht, as well with Métis, Inuit and other Indigenous partners that reside in Coast Salish and Nuu-chah-nulth territories. The agreement ensures that we support ongoing collective ownership and commitment to improve the success of Indigenous students while providing learning opportunities about Indigenous experiences, culture and history to all students, and staff in the Sooke School District community.
Throughout our district, you will hear and see “Na’tsa’maht.” Na’tsa’maht is the purposeful way we work. It means being of one mind, one spirit. Together, working side by side, supporting each other, walking together. Good mind, good spirit for the good of our children, for the good of Mother Earth sustaining us.
Under Na’tsa’maht, we commit to practices and processes that progress Indigenous student success (one mind) and build awareness and understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures and ways of being (one spirit).
There are no classes on Monday, October 2 as a day in-lieu to commemorate the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. Commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts is vital to reconciliation. As a Board of Education, we are in a continual process of learning how we can do our part to walk the path of truth and reconciliation across our school district and beyond.
Resources
Many are continuing to reflect, heal and confront traumas. The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour crisis support to former Indian Residential School students and their families toll-free at 1-866-925-4419.
Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls are encouraged to contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649.
First Nations, Inuit and Métis seeking immediate emotional support can contact the Hope for Wellness Help Line toll-free at 1-855-242-3310, or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.