Chi Miigwech for Orange Shirt Day

Every lesson Noojimo’iwewin Gitigaan Educator Maya Ferguson Klinowski shares with the Hippo Nursery School Children ends with a chorus of small voices saying “Chi miigwech/A big thank you.” This week, the lesson was challenging, as the children are beginning to learn about Indigenous children who were taken from their families to go to residential school.

Vanessa Barnes gently told the children about Phyllis Webstad, whose story of her Grandmother giving her an orange shirt to wear on her first day of residential school sparked a movement. That shirt was taken away by Phyllis’ teachers, and with it her family connections and culture. Phyllis felt like she didn’t matter.

Maya asked the children how they would feel if their favourite shirt was taken away and talked about how important it is that we can be ourselves when we’re learning together and making friends. She then moved forward to speak about how we are grateful to be treated well, how we all know how to be kind to one another, and how we wish fairness and good treatment like this for everyone.

Children and teachers remembered the children who went to residential schools by holding a ribbon of orange fabric against their hearts before tying it outside the doorway to their school. As children and teachers go in and out and their days unfold, they will remember that every child matters.

Hippo School teachers routinely send photos and descriptions of the children’s activities home to parents and caregivers. Maya shared with teachers the necessity of the next generation understanding that “there are ways to walk together in a good way with Indigenous neighbours and friends without forgetting the legacy of residential schools.”

Having parents on board for such challenging talks is key.

Please see here for a list of resources from Circles for Reconciliation.