Dear Families,
We will be spending this week until Tuesday, June 8 (215 hours), acknowledging and recognizing the residential school tragedy and recent discovery by the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation. We are so fortunate to have amazing Indigenous partners in SD62 and have connected with Elders to seek guidance about how we may proceed as a community and mourn alongside one another.
We have come up with some opportunities in which we can connect, providing space for us to reflect upon the tragic history of residential schools and to continue the healing journey together.
Words of Action
Using various age-appropriate resources, our schools and classrooms will be using discussion and activities as action, instead of silence. This may come in the form of colouring feathers and different graphics, discussing residential schools as a classroom, writing notes to the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation, the list goes on. Our teachers will only conduct activities and discussions that are suitable for the ages of their students.
To learn more about residential schools and what our teachers may find guidance from, we have posted a list of resources here.
Flags
Flags at SD62 schools and sites will remain at half-staff for a total of 215 hours until the end of the school day on Tuesday, June 8.
Orange
Rather than mark this tragedy with one day, we encourage you to wear orange throughout the week as you see fit. From an orange t-shirt, to art, there are many ways to commemorate orange and recognition.
We will close out our week of recognition at the end of the school day on Tuesday, June 8. Students will hear a poem and words of wisdom written by Elder Shirley Alphonse of Cowichan Tribes.
Support
The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of Residential School experience. 1-866-925-4419.
- Aboriginal Resources & Information on Southern Vancouver Island
- First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: Phone toll-free 1-855-242-3310 or chat online at hopeforwellness.ca.
- The Métis Crisis Line: Available 24 hours a day at 1-833-638-4722
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS): 1-800-721-0066 or 604-985-4464
The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of Residential School experience. 1-866-925-4419.
Our hearts go out to the families of the children and to all communities closely impacted. I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on this recent discovery and to reach out and support one another.
Sincerely,
Scott Stinson
Superintendent of Schools/CEO