-
Junior School students canoeing during a school trip.
York School News
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30) was an opportunity for students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 to learn about the history and legacy of Canada’s residential school system, and what it means to be an ally to Indigenous peoples.
Faculty in all divisions were given resources to support classroom discussions, activities and projects related to the history and legacy of residential schools, Indigenous knowledge and allyship. Student leaders on the Belonging and Outreach Committee created posters of notable figures to increase awareness of the contributions that Indigenous peoples in Canada make to journalism, the arts, science and other fields.
Two very special guests visited York to share their insights with the students. Students from JK to Grade 5 welcomed multi-disciplinary artist Ms. Monique Diabo, who is of Mohawk and Taino descent. She is an actor, visual artist, singer, dancer, choreographer and storyteller. Originally from the Mohawk community of Kahnawake, Quebec, Ms. Diabo spent much of her life in the Plains Cree, Treaty 6 territory of Kehewin Cree Nation in central Alberta.
Ms. Diabo taught the Junior School students about the significance of the Two Row Wampum (also known as Gaswéñdah). As she showed the students the white and purple beaded belt she had brought with her, Ms. Diabo explained that the Haudenosaunee people first created the belt as a record of a mutual agreement they made with Dutch settlers to live together in peace, trust, friendship and mutual respect.
The Junior School students will be working on an art project that will help solidify their understanding of the significance of the Two Row Wampum. Each student will design a bead that will become part of a Two Row Wampum the school is making to symbolize the unity and strength of our collective values.
Dr. Brenda Wastasecoot, who teaches at the Centre for Indigenous Studies at the University of Toronto, shared her knowledge with our Middle and Senior School students. She is Cree from Churchill, Manitoba and the youngest of 11 children. Dr. Wastasecoot didn’t attend residential school, but her 10 siblings did. She told us about the devastating impact that residential schools had on individuals, families, communities, language and culture.
Dr. Wastasecoot suggested reconcili-actions we can take. These include: listening in a compassionate, open-minded and non-judgemental way; finding out whose land you are on; supporting Indigenous businesses; and volunteering at events organized by Indigenous organizations.
We’re very grateful to Ms. Diabo and Dr. Wastasecoot for sharing their time and knowledge with us.
The Junior School students will be working on an art project that will help solidify their understanding of the significance of the Two Row Wampum. Each student will design a bead that will become part of a Two Row Wampum the school is making to symbolize the unity and strength of our collective values.
Dr. Brenda Wastasecoot, who teaches at the Centre for Indigenous Studies at the University of Toronto, shared her knowledge with our Middle and Senior School students. She is Cree from Churchill, Manitoba and the youngest of 11 children. Dr. Wastasecoot didn’t attend residential school, but her 10 siblings did. She told us about the devastating impact that residential schools had on individuals, families, communities, language and culture.
Dr. Wastasecoot suggested reconcili-actions we can take. These include: listening in a compassionate, open-minded and non-judgemental way; finding out whose land you are on; supporting Indigenous businesses; and volunteering at events organized by Indigenous organizations.
We’re very grateful to Ms. Diabo and Dr. Wastasecoot for sharing their time and knowledge with us.
