By: Nicole Goldsworthy, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, SASKTODAY.ca
The Horizon School Division is making plans for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with events throughout the division.
Jesse Green, communication officer for the Horizon School Division, said many of their schools recognize Truth and Reconciliation throughout the year, and especially on Sept. 30. Events happening around the Horizon School Division are:
Punnichy Elementary Community School is hosting a powwow for students and community members. Day Star First Nation is presenting the powwow.
Humboldt Collegiate Institute students and staff are planning to partner with Carlton Trail College and do an orange shirt walk around the Uniplex grounds.
Bulyea Elementary School students will attend the Punnichy Elementary powwow, as well as doing activities and having conversations about Truth and Reconciliation in their classrooms.
Humboldt Public School will hold a ceremony where each student ties an orange ribbon to the playground fence. The ribbons are a durable material which last for many months along Highway 5. As well as the school will make a Star Blanket out of construction paper, where each student will colour one diamond and they will assemble the pieces to create a large, collaborative art project.
George Gordon Education Centre students and staff will join the community of George Gordon First Nation on a walk honouring Residential School Survivors around Pimiy Lake followed by drummers, speakers, and lunch. Classrooms will each be doing their own activity, reading books, inquiry projects, interviews with Grandparents, crafts and drumming.
George Gordon Education Centre students will also attend Punnichy Elementary’s powwow on Sept. 29.
Each year, Sept. 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
(Photo courtesy of Horizon School Division Facebook.)