Tomorrow, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, we invite non-Indigenous members of our Take Me Outside community to join in quiet reflection, self-education, and a re-commitment towards justice, as we recognize and commemorate the devastating history and ongoing impact of residential schools. We recognize that this is a day of healing for Indigenous people across Turtle Island. We hope you can participate in a local gathering or event near you and find ways to participate in reflection and action on this day and beyond.
At Take Me Outside, we aim to make spending time outside learning, playing, and exploring a daily possibility for every child. We recognize the ongoing impacts of colonization and residential schools on Indigenous communities across Canada and that creating safer learning environments for Indigenous children and youth, along with respectfully and authentically integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Ways of Knowing into outdoor and land-based learning, are central to the work we do. Take Me Outside acknowledges that the work of truth and reconciliation is a journey of lifelong learning and action. We commit to supporting educators in rising to the Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s Calls to Action numbers 6,12, and 62-66.
As you may know, Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots movement inspired by the experiences of Phyllis Webstad. You can read Phyllis’ story in her own words here, and we encourage all educators to centre Phyllis’ story when participating in Orange Shirt Day with their learners. We also encourage folks to purchase orange shirts from Indigenous-led organizations or artists, such as from our partner Strong Nations, who have shirts available here.
Please also consider supporting and donating to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS). IRSSS are a provincial organization who provide essential services to Survivors, their families and those dealing with intergenerational traumas for over 20 years. They offer a crisis support line for Survivors and the phone number is: 1-800-721-0066.
Our partner The Outdoor Learning School and Store have put together an amazing list of resources, which you can find here.
Feel free to reach out to us at info@takemeoutside.ca any time with recommendations, photos or stories.
Every child matters.
Best,
The Take Me Outside Team
Photo: Elder Christopher Stock and his daughter Keana opening Take Me Outside’s Ontario Educator Wellness Retreat in a good way Tomorrow, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, we invite non-Indigenous members of our Take Me Outside community to join in quiet reflection, self-education, and a re-commitment towards justice, as […]
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June is National Indigenous History Month, and June 21st is Indigenous Peoples’ Day! Below you will find a collection of favourite resources for integrating Indigenous Knowledge, perspectives, and history into your classroom. In addition, our friends over at the Outdoor Learning School and Store have put together a list of 30 recommended resources and learning […]