October 9th, 2024

Students across the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) took part in focused learning in the days ahead of, and following, the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on September 30.

At Jacob Hespeler Secondary School (JHSS) in Cambridge, Grade 9 students took part in a range of interactive learning activities, focused on supporting students in building:

  • Intercultural understanding
  • Empathy
  • Mutual respect

These opportunities were organized, coordinated and made possible thanks to the efforts of educators and staff at JHSS, in collaboration with Indigenous community members.

The Grade 9 students began the day by learning about the drum circle, and witnessing performances led by Scott Stevens, a drummer and singer from Saugeen First Nation.

The students then broke into smaller groups, to take part in interactive activities such as learning about Indigenous Histories, assisted by a gym-sized map of Canada showing the locations of First Nations, pre-contact.

Following a lesson on how stories are told through the art of beading, students had a chance to participate. Students were given the opportunity to create unique beaded bracelets with a selection of orange beads.

Students also created custom orange shirts to wear on Orange Shirt Day, following a lesson about the history of the day, and cultural appropriation vs appreciation.

Students also learned more about the history of lacrosse, and its roots in Indigenous culture, as well as learning about Indigenous entrepreneurship.

Each of these new Grade 9 students at JHSS finished the day having been supported in taking meaningful steps forward towards Truth and Reconciliation.

Indigenous Education in the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB)

The WRDSB, and the Indigenous Education Branch, are guided by the Calls to Action identified within the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report. We recognize that we are all treaty people and acknowledge both the rights and responsibilities that lie at the heart of the treaties in place in the territory on which WRDSB facilities are located.

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