On September 30, École catholique de l'Enfant-Jésus (Dryden) celebrated the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation with a commemorative ceremony to raise awareness of Aboriginal realities..
The students and staff of the 4e at 7e The day began with a cleansing ceremony with school principal Mrs. Savage. Garden class in 3e year enjoyed a visit from Mrs. Ginnette, the kokum of a 1re who also performed a purification ceremony for the children.
Reflection object workshop
Ms. Rachele, the school's secretary and library technician, led a workshop to make a reflective object with a feather and beads representing interactions with indigenous peoples of the past, present and future.
The commemorative ceremony
The school welcomed Mr. Percy Cameron, a community elder, to the ceremony. He recounted an Aboriginal legend to explain the meaning of perseverance and the importance of overcoming challenges. Mr. Cameron greatly appreciates his participation in school activities. "When I participate in your school's activities, it helps me heal," Mr. Cameron explains. "I'm grateful for your invitation to participate in your activities, I really appreciate it."
During the ceremony, each participant wrote a word or prayer on an orange cardboard heart glued to a wooden stick, to be placed, along with their object of reflection, inside the Circle of Life during the ceremony to commemorate the missing children of residential schools and to honor the survivors and their families.
Éric, 7th grade studente explains the importance of the commemoration, "This day helps me understand what aboriginal peoples have gone through in the past, and what they're still going through today. In class, we learn a lot about the injustices imposed on First Nations, Métis and Inuit people. It's very sad that they haven't been treated properly. That has to change."
"The school values its relationship with the local aboriginal community and wants to continue in its learning of customs, values and teachings throughout the year," adds Ms. Savage.
