Director’s Message on National Indigenous History Month
We paused this message about National Indigenous History Month out of respect for the 215 children whose remains were discovered at the Kamloops Indian Residential School on the traditional territory of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation.
This heart-breaking discovery, however, has also given all Canadians an opportunity to reflect on the traumas inflicted upon Indigenous Peoples in this country.
In June, we commemorate National Indigenous History Month to recognize the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada.
This month, as we look at the history, we must consider our role in reconciliation and reconcile-ACTION.
We must ask ourselves and act on questions like: Do we truly know the history of our country? Are we giving students an accurate impression of the past? Do all students have an opportunity to engage in reconciliation?
The Honourable Murray Sinclair, Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), has said: “Education is what got us into this mess and education is key to getting us out of it.”
Education has a heavy responsibility in reconciliation, which is about establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples in this country.
To reconcile means to be aware of the past, acknowledge the harm, atone for the causes, and act to change behaviour.
We should all be proud of the existing work being done by the Indigenous Education and Indigenous Cultural Safety teams at HWDSB, whether it is supporting The Learning Nest, SHAE, Mohawk as a Second Language, Indigenous course content, and so much more.
I know we have so much more work to do, so that Indigenous students are seen through an asset lens and greeted in a culture of respect, belonging and high expectations.
Thank you to the Indigenous Education and Indigenous Cultural Safety teams for supporting this month’s learning – for students, as well as for staff. The themes this month include:
- Week of June 7-12: Learning around Residential Schools.
- Week of June 13-18: Sharing Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Being and Doing
- Week of June 21-25: Indigenous Film Festival
- June 28: Message to Staff and Students from Tehahenteh
Nya:wen (thank you) for your attention to this important topic.
Manny Figueiredo
Director of Education
Resources and supports:
- Week 1 resource developed at HWDSB: Sway presentation on Residential Schools
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission – resources for students and educators
- National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day at 1-866-925-4419.
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- The Missing Children Project
- Tips for adults supporting children and youth after distressing events
- Mental health and well-being supports: www.hwdsb.on.ca/wehelp
Updated on Monday, June 07, 2021.