STUDENTS AND STAFF NOT IN SESSION
September 30, 2021, became the first official National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, which coincides with Orange Shirt Day. We were extremely fortunate that year to host Phyllis Webstad, founder of Orange Shirt Day at the partnership event between MPSD, local Nations, the Mission Friendship Centre, and the City of Mission. Despite being in the throes of the COVID pandemic, we were fortunately able to host the event.
Phyllis and Kristy McLeod (Métis) have co-written a new book called Decolonization and Me. The book is available from multiple websites. See HERE for a live (September 13, 2025, 5pm) interview with the two authors, hosted by settler historian, Sean Carleton.
Although this day has been called a statutory 'holiday', it is so much more than that. It, like Remembrance Day, it is a time of solemn reflection and learning, to honour Indigenous children who never returned home and Survivors of Indian Residential Schools (including Indian Day Schools), as well as their families and communities. The intergenerational trauma caused by colonization and this system has deep, immeasurable, and lasting impacts on Indigenous Peoples. As such, it can take considerable effort from non-Indigenous folks to begin to understand.
You may also be aware that recently the ground penetrating radar (GPR) research project has resumed at the former St. Mary's Indian Residential School located at what now is called Fraser River Heritage Park. Over the past couple of years, Stó:lō Nation has been using ground-penetrating radar as part of their Xyólhmet ye Syéwiqwélh (Taking Care of Our Children) project to search the grounds of four institutions, including three former residential schools and one hospital, as a step in identifying potential unmarked graves of children who died while in the care of staff. These include St. Mary's Indian Residential School in Mission, Coqualeetza Industrial Institute/Residential School and Hospital near Chilliwack, and All Hallows School in Yale. Archival research and oral stories from Survivors confirmed the deaths of 158 children at these sites. If you happen to be visiting the park, we ask that you are mindful of the work. For more information, see HERE.
Siwal Si'wes offers a plethora of incredible and authentic resources to support the MPSD community in their learning. See the blog post HERE. Please note that some resources contain information about Canada's dark history, including sensitive subject matter on racial and cultural injustices, violence, abuse, and trauma against Indigenous Peoples. Read with caution and consider seeking support if needed (Employee & family Assistance Program).
