Truth and Reconciliation week was special at Salmo Elementary School.  Not only was there an amazing display of support through the display of Orange Shirts, but there was a softness among the primary students, and a depth of curiosity and understanding among the intermediate grades. The experiences shared in all the classrooms and at the assembly, were incredibly rewarding this year.

The grade ⅚ students asked questions way beyond the orange shirt. Concepts of Intergenerational Trauma, the “Ripple Effect”, racism, and colonization were compassionately discussed, and the ideals of hope and resilience as shown through music and the arts were investigated. The kids held space for each other, and there was a special vulnerability. I have been with these particular grade ⅚ students in the role of Indigenous Education Teacher since kindergarten, and I felt a level of knowing among us after all these years, like never before. Of course, there is still so much Truth to be learned, and actions to be taken, but I know they are on the path.

Our Orange Shirt Day assembly was a great success as we learned about Reconciliation, Phyllis Webstead, and how the Seven Sacred Teachings can fit into all of it. As the core of our school code of conduct, the seven core values--love, honesty, respect, courage, wisdom, humility and truth- can be interwoven to all we do. In talking about The Orange Shirt Story, it is easy for us to focus on Eagle to represent love for all, to get courage from bear to stand up and keep going, to gain wisdom from beaver to never repeat the mistake of having children away from their families for so long, and of course wolf, buffalo, sasquatch and turtle all have a place in our journeys towards Reconciliation.

We added words of Reconciliation on orange leaves and hung on our fall harvest display. As a school, we demonstrated our support by walking around our sweet village of Salmo in our vibrant orange shirts. I have so much pride for Salmo!  It is clear that we all want to feel safe and loved at our school, and we will keep exploring ways to make sure that happens. 

We dedicated our 2 minutes of silence at the assembly  to all the survivors of residential schools and their families, the ones that didn’t make it home, and to the amazing, resilient future generations still to come. 

Submitted by Kari-Lynn Hatt, Aboriginal Academic Success Teacher