In Honour of the NNational Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S+) plus those experiencing ignored violence connected to their identity and all those that live with the loss of loved ones, many Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) secondary schools engaged in the Reclaim project inspired by Jaime Black Morsette, also known as the creator of the REDress Project. On March 26 and April 14, 2025, Jaime virtually met with 25 classrooms and spoke about the intention of the Reclaim project, and how Indigenous education that results in responsible Actions of Reconciliation are the purpose of this project.
Over the month of April in consultation with the TCDSB Indigenous Education Department and the Religion Department, as part of the Reclaim project, students engaged in a curriculum which explored a deeper understanding of the sacredness of women and Indigenous cultural education. The individual schools organized experiences to explore authentic Indigenous traditions and voices. As a result, on May 5, The Secondary schools Honoured the Day for Awareness of MMIWG2S+ with focused gatherings reflecting their deeper understanding.
Loretto College School staff and students, joined by members of the Indigenous Education Department and Poet Laureate Sarah Lewis, gathered for a Liturgy of the Word: The Sacredness of Women, A Promise to Protect, Honouring The National Awareness Day for MMIWG2S+. The live stream recording can be viewed at the following link:
Father John Redmond Catholic Secondary School students gathered at the installation of Red Dresses in their school’s Atrium for reflection, followed by a silent walk to the water's edge to engage in a Reclaim exercise honouring the day of Awareness for MMIWG2s+.
Each school's action was extremely moving and reflected the TCDSB’s commitment to moving forward together in Truth and Reconciliation.
