SD8 Kootenay Lake will be joining the province and the country with the new federal statutory holiday on September 30th, as an acknowledgement of the atrocities of the residential school experiences here in our country. This day will be a day for district wide reflection on reconciliation and history, and our shared responsibility in moving education forward in truth and reconciliation.
We will continue Orange Shirt Day on September 30th, #EVERYCHILDMATTERS . Schools will be encouraged to participate in Orange Shirt Day events throughout the week and engage in school wide events, teachings, and awareness campaigns. School district buildings will lower flags for the week of September 30th to half-mast as an opportunity for formal and visible reflection at each school site. All schools with grades 5+ will be encouraged to participate in a week of learning on Truth and Reconciliation, through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: https://nctr.ca/education/trw/educator-schedule. This is an incredible learning opportunity open to all: trustees, staff, families, community and students in grades 5+. See the link above for the week schedule and here is a link for registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/truth-and-reconciliation-week-tickets-153491752965.
SD8 Kootenay Lake is committed to learning, reflecting, and finding truths as we journey together toward reconciliation.
Photo: Jared Basil, Lower Kootenay Band, Indigenous Culture Celebration 2019