Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for schools, communities, local governments, and First Nations to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for this generation of children and future generations. September 30 was chosen because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools.

On September 29, WESMOR students and staff took the opportunity to engage in the spirit of reconciliation. Students explored the history of residential schools and discussed how this legacy affects students today. Each student wrote a message about how they can support reconciliation in their school and community and on what they can do to help others feel like they matter. Finally, our school community came together to post our messages in a display and observe a moment of silence to honor our residential school survivors and remember those who never returned home.

This is another example of how WESMOR students and staff are guided by the Following Their Voices vision; “Education that promotes accelerated learning for First Nations, Metis and Inuit students where learning is joyful, culture is affirmed and students are given real choice for their future.”