I often get the question about talking with young children about residential schools. Here are some thoughts for you to approach in your classroom. At that young age, we talk about why we wear orange - to remember the children that were taken away and couldn't be with their parents and family, couldn't speak their language, and learn their culture and identity, we wear orange so it doesn't happen again. 

Here are some ideas to connect with your students: 

- We can share concrete examples from stories like When We Were Alone by David Robertson (your school has this book in both English and French). 

- Share the concept of being away from family in books like The Kissing Hand. You can talk with your kids about their feelings about starting school this September and let them know that children couldn't go home to their parents. 

- Talk about Phyllis' orange shirt and the meaning behind it and why we wear orange to remember and ensure it doesn't happen again. This book in both languages is new to your school: "With Our Orange Hearts / Avec nous coeurs orange" by Phyllis Webstad. 

- The book You Hold Me Up / Tu es là pour moi by Monique Gray Smith is a great book for ways we hold each other up and support one another. It's good to read at this time of year beyond the orange shirt day conversations. A great way to think about the classroom community. Link to how we can hold each other up in our actions -- an action like wearing orange to show you remember and care. 

- The book, Jingle Dancer, is also a great connection to pull out this week and connect to how the jingle dress is healing and we lift our prayers. 

- See here for more books that your school has. 

- Sign up to paint with Moses Lunham to have an art piece to bring your learning together. 

- Another action your kids can do is stamping a heart or t shirt shape with orange and adding words that show caring inside. Painting rocks could also be another hands-on way to connect. 

When I talk with my own young children and to primary classes, I also talk about families that speak another language and how they couldn't speak the language they knew in their home. We talk about how that would feel. It's a sensitive concept and we want children to love school and know they are loved and to also begin to think about how this hasn't been the situation (in a simple, developmentally appropriate way). 

Please contact cortnee.goure@sccdsb.net for further information about how to raise awareness and build understanding in your school and check out this Indigenous Education SCCDSB website below for resources and links to lesson ideas for before and after this important day and week is recognized