Taking Truth to Action During Truth and Reconciliation Week

As Grand Erie marked Truth and Reconciliation Week (September 23 — 27) and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30), schools engaged in transformative learning about the painful truths of the past, how injustices create lasting harm, and how meaningful dialogue and understanding can help forge a path forward.

Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School was the site of a significant opportunity for this learning. On Wednesday, September 25, the school hosted three residential school survivors, joined by five PJ students, in a circle discussion in the learning commons, streamed across the country through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in partnership with Grand Erie and the Survivors' Secretariat.

"It is very important for people to have education on the residential school experience, but also to start to understand the depth of what was interfered with in the loss of our lands, cultural teachings and our languages," said Suzie Miller, Indigenous Education Teacher Consultant, who was part of the team organizing the learning opportunity.

Classes taking part in the day watched a video production, More Than an Apple, in preparation for the session. The short film (in two parts) was shot locally and depicts the coming together of residential school survivors and students, with discussions of experiences including the loss of language and reconnecting to land, culture and Indigenous Ways of Knowing.

To cap off Truth and Reconciliation Week, the school hosted its annual Every Child Matters football game, once again providing a learning spotlight for the school community to honour and recommit to ongoing efforts building understanding, while also raising funds for community initiatives furthering educational engagement around this work.

"As we work to understand and address historical injustices, we have an opportunity to integrate Truth and Reconciliation into our learning and our leadership," said Griffin Cobb, principal at Pauline Johnson. "The result of this has the power to influence future generations and perspectives toward empathy and constructive engagement."

Grand Erie's multi-year strategic plan includes the collective priority of Belonging, supporting equitable, inclusive and responsive environments for each learner.

"I'm proud of the many staff members in Grand Erie who demonstrate tremendous commitment in their own education around the tragic, painful histories and lasting impacts of the residential school system, bringing a lens of social justice and a vital component of the reconciliation process to the classroom," said JoAnna Roberto, Director of Education. "This in turn inspires learners to see what's possible, envisioning a world based on inclusion, respect and understanding."