At McNair, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and compassionate environment for all our students, families and staff. As we approached September 30 this year, the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, staff got together to discuss what we could do as a school to honour the children lost and the survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. As a school, we wanted to spend time together reflecting and finding meaningful ways to recognize and raise awareness of the very tragic legacy of residential schools in Canada.

A school wide assembly was held on Teams. A personal and meaningful Land Acknowledgement was shared by Ms. Jenna, a McNair teacher.  We watched a short video of Chief Robert Joseph as he shares his experience of being a residential school survivor and the importance of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. Afterwards, we turned to class discussions that focused on the meaning of reconciliation and the steps we can take to honour and promote truth and reconciliation – individually and as a school.

Extensions of leaning and understanding continued in classrooms. For example, students in Ms. Mar’s senior English classes were given the assignment of writing their own personal Land Acknowledgement. What students produced was personal, powerful, and meaningful.

The commitment and work of staff and students display a collective dedication to learning, understanding, healing and reconciliation.

Ms. Jenna's Land Acknowledgement: 

Student Land Acknowledgements from Ms. Mar's English First Peoples 12 class: