β
Although Orange Shirt Day is officially held on Sept. 30, the Lambton Kent District School Board commemorates Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 27 to honour the survivors of residential schools, as well as the children and young people who never returned home.
We encouraged staff and students to wear orange on this day to promote learning and understanding about the residential school system and its impact on First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people and communities. Orange Shirt Day is part of an ongoing conversation in the LKDSB about Indigenous Education to enhance understanding about Indigenous issues, histories and perspectives.
We have a diverse population of Indigenous students, leaders and staff in the LKDSB who support students and enrich our classrooms and workplaces. In support of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action as they relate to education, the LKDSB is committed to building capacity amongst its teachers and staff and supporting our students in learning about Indigenous issues, histories and perspectives in a safe and caring learning environment.
Additional resources to support learning about residential schools and Indigenous Education is available at https://www.lkdsb.net/Board/ind-edu/Pages/default.aspx
I encourage you to learn more about Orange Shirt Day and its origins by visiting: http://www.orangeshirtday.org
Thanks for your support,
Helen Lane
Superintendent of Education - Program: Leadership and Equity