For the past 2 weeks St. Mary Catholic Academy's (SMCA) Youth Group spearheaded a whole school collaborative initiative to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It began by hand making approximately 700 clay hearts that were then painted and varnished. Through mindful action and reflection, students created these touch stones which were provided to every student in the school as a sacred memento to honour the children who never returned home and the Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. SMCA acknowledges that public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process and allyship.
On September 30, SMCA transformed the cafeteria into a sacred space that honours and raises awareness about the intergenerational impacts of residential schools on children, families, and communities. It honours Indigenous children who were lost in the residential school system. Classes were invited to view the story of Residential School Survivor, Phyllis Webstad, and how at the age of 6 her orange shirt was taken from her at residential school leading to "Orange Shirt Day". Students also watched the animated film, "The Secret Path", a 2016 Canadian multimedia project by the late Gord Downie about Chanie Wenjack, an Indigenous boy who died after running away from a residential school. Students were then invited into a memorial space to stamp orange hearts and shirts onto a mural. This action signifies support for ongoing reconciliation and commitment to the enduring truth that EVERY CHILD MATTERS. Donations were collected throughout the day which will go to the Native Child and Family Services of Toronto.
Together the SMCA community honours the children who survived Residential Schools and remember those who did not, wearing orange shirts in solidarity.
