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Collège Béliveau

Throughout the week, students and staff at Collège Béliveau wore orange and took part in activities promoting conversation, learning, and reflection. An Every Child Matters flag was raised to mark the beginning of the week.

Each grade explored age-appropriate learning:

• Grades 7 and 8 learned about the legacy of residential schools and explored how they can take meaningful steps toward reconciliation.
• Grade 9 students reflected on the continued impact of residential schools on Indigenous peoples.
• Grade 10 students explored the cultural importance of art and storytelling.
• Grade 11 students studied the ongoing impact of colonization on Indigenous women.
• Grade 12 students examined how colonization has affected the environment and the work of Indigenous leaders to protect natural resources.

Students and staff were also invited to the library to craft orange shirt pins as a personal act of remembrance.

Collège Jeanne-Sauvé

On Sept. 29, students participated in a ceremony for Orange Shirt Day following classroom discussions and activities about residential schools and reconciliation. Students also co-constructed land acknowledgements reflective of their individual subject areas.

During the ceremony, each student placed an orange ribbon on a map of Canada, with every ribbon bearing the name of a child who died in a residential school in that province or territory. The map now hangs in the cafeteria as a permanent visual reminder of the children whose lives were lost.

Students from the Indigenous Youth Leadership group also spoke at the assembly, sharing reflections on the lasting impacts of residential schools, the importance of empathy, and the role everyone plays in the journey of reconciliation.

Dakota Collegiate Institute (DCI)

On September 26, students and staff at Dakota Collegiate came together to reflect, learn, and honour the lives affected by residential schools. Joined by students from Lavallee School, the community participated in a Remembrance Walk around Murray Field in solidarity to honour Residential School Survivors and the children who never made it home.

DCI’s Four Moons dance group led the procession and performed while students walked in honour and remembrance. The event provided an opportunity to engage in reflection, foster understanding, and strengthen our shared commitment to reconciliation. The student-run hot dog cart also contributed $2 from every sale to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

Intersectionality is at the heart of what the UN Student Group stands for. Showing up and supporting the Mino-Giizhiighad and Indigenous Youth Leadership groups, as well as the Tawaw program, was more than just a physical gesture—it was an acknowledgement of the harsh realities and life struggles friends, neighbours, and families have faced. We stand together, united with the Indigenous community, because it is only through collective care, understanding, and action that reconciliation can move forward.

École George-McDowell

On the afternoon of Sept. 29, ÉGM students participated in a variety of activity stations designed to encourage reflection, deepen understanding of Indigenous cultures, and honour the principles of Truth and Reconciliation. 

École Henri-Bergeron

In the days leading up to Sept. 30, students discussed the history and significance of Orange Shirt Day and Truth and Reconciliation Day. Each student received an orange ribbon and wrote a message to residential school survivors or to the children who never made it home. 

These ribbons were tied to the school’s fence to spell out Chaque enfant compte (“Every Child Matters”). Students were also offered the opportunity to take part in a morning smudge, creating space for mindfulness and gratitude. 

École St. Germain

The day began with O Canada sung in Ojibwe, followed by the raising of the Every Child Matters flag. Students participated in a traditional cleansing ceremony before morning recess and created orange t-shirt crafts filled with hearts and messages of kindness and hope. Each class also read stories and participated in discussions about the origins and meaning of Orange Shirt Day. 

École Van Belleghem

Students and staff at École Van Belleghem engaged in classroom-based learning and reflection and came together as a school to create Chaque enfant compte displays in the main hallway. Hundreds of orange ribbons were tied along the school’s fence line to remember the children who were sent to residential schools. 

École Varennes

École Varennes hosted a Family Night with a theme of Truth and Reconciliation. Families participated in hands-on activities including beading, dot art, Indigenous games, and a storytelling session with Knowledge Keeper Eric Flett. Bannock was served as a snack, and families were invited to reflect on the question, “What does Truth and Reconciliation mean to you?” The event also included a resource table to support continued learning at home. 

Highbury School

Highbury School held an assembly in which each grade contributed something meaningful to honour Orange Shirt Day. Kindergarten students watched a video about Phyllis’ story; Grades 1 and 2 read a poem about Orange Shirt Day; Grades 3 and 4 presented on the Circle of Courage; Grades 5 and 6 shared letters they wrote to Survivors; and Grades 7 and 8 read When We Were Alone. 

After the assembly, the entire school participated in a community walk. In library classes, students also learned about the symbols on the Residential School Survivor Flag and listened to stories from Survivors. 

Island Lakes Community School

On Orange Shirt Day, Island Lakes Community School gathered for a student-led assembly to honour and remember the experiences of Indigenous children affected by residential schools. Guided by educators Ms. CY, Mr. Jamie, and Ms. Block—with special thanks to Ms. Liat for her support—the assembly encouraged reflection and learning. 

Some classes also participated in a smudge, embracing Indigenous traditions and fostering understanding of reconciliation. It reminds us of the importance of listening, learning, and standing in solidarity with Indigenous communities. 

Marion School

Marion School marked the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a community walk to the site of the former St. Boniface Industrial School, where students and staff honoured the space with a cleansing ceremony using sage. Students learned about the significance of the practice before returning for a school-wide assembly highlighting classroom reflections and learning.  

To symbolize unity and remembrance, every student contributed to a collaborative art project—creating paper slips that were linked together into a powerful “Every Child Matters” paper chain. These collective actions reflect Marion School’s deep commitment to truth, learning, and reconciliation. 

Nelson McIntyre Collegiate

NMC honoured Orange Shirt Day through learning and reflection. Students viewed national broadcasts from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, including one featuring NMC students that aired across Canada.  

Classes created a backyard art installation of orange hearts inscribed with the names of Survivors and lost children from Manitoba, took part in land-based learning, and reflected on treaties and land acknowledgements. On Sept. 29, students wore orange shirts, joined an optional smudge, and participated in a reflective walk along the Red River. 

Nordale School

Students and staff at Nordale School came together for a walk to honour Residential School Survivors and the children who never returned home. 

Sage Creek School

Grade 5-8 students were fortunate to hear from Gitxsan author, Hetxw’ms Gyetxw, Brett D Huson, on Tuesday. He shared his amazing book series, Mothers of Xsan, as well as the importance of connecting with the land on which we live. He presented in the brand new learning commons foyer! 

Sage Creek School also displayed orange t-shirts on the grounds. Each shirt had stories of those who are not here to tell them. 

Samuel Burland School

From September 22–29, Samuel Burland School immersed itself in Truth and Reconciliation learning. Students painted orange rocks with positive messages of hope and created feather sun catchers to honour Indigenous culture and resilience.  

Grade 7–8 students placed orange shirts around the school yard, each containing information about residential schools. The displays were accessible to the community through printed materials and QR codes, encouraging both reflection and learning. 

Victor H.L. Wyatt School

From Sept.23 to Oct. 10, Victor Wyatt students participated in a series of activities guided by the theme A Wish for Home. Through the picture book When the Stars Came Home by Brittany Luby, students explored the meaning of home and reflected on how it connects to the experiences of residential school Survivors. 

Students also engaged with artifacts from the Witness Blanket Project, took part in a community walk, participated in a Community Cleanse, and contributed to a Star Blanket Reconciliation Activity where each student designed a diamond shape representing their personal learning. 

Students and staff are proud to continue our commitment to learning, reflection, and action as part of the ongoing journey toward reconciliation. 

Windsor Park Collegiate

In the week leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, WPC hosted daily “Creation Stations” where students expressed their reflections through button-making, sign creation, and t-shirt and bracelet design. On Sept. 25, the entire school participated in a collaborative art project while listening to stories from residential school Survivors. 

On Sept. 29, the school community gathered on the front lawn for an assembly, raised the Every Child Matters flag, and participated in a community walk with survivor signage along the route. Students were invited to take part in a cleansing ceremony afterward. 

On October 1, the football team honoured Survivors during a home game by wearing orange wrist and ankle wraps. The Lavallee Leopards hoop dancing group performed, and student Age Vermette delivered a heartfelt memorial speech.