National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
At the Middle and Senior School assembly this week, students heard from Mr. Brent Johnston, Executive Director of Advancement, about his personal journey as an Indigenous person and the impact of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
He said that while speaking about this in-person still does not come easy for him, being part of this close-knit community has allowed him to feel comfortable talking about his Indigenous background and personal experience. However, as an “invisible minority” outside of CDS, he is occasionally confronted with overtly racist statements, so the challenge of reconciliation persists.
Mr. Johnston shared some personal anecdotes and impacts of the discriminatory aspects of the 'Indian Act', which attempted to assimilate Indigenous peoples into white Canadian society, and how Indigenous women (including his mother) lost their status if they married non-Indigenous men. He shared the impact of being at Kanesatake in 1990 mere weeks before the Oka Crisis, and how this event has a direct connection to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and encouraged students to learn more about this important and tragic event. (Tracey Deer, also from Kanesatake, produced an incredible 2020 film “Beans” that documents living through this crisis through the eyes of the children in nearby Kahnawake Territory who were also embroiled in this conflict.)
In recent years, CDS has worked hard to incorporate more Indigenous history and culture into the curriculum. Books like Indian Horse and The Secret Path have long been assigned reading (JS and MS/SS book suggestions in story below). And in 2017, our Senior School drama students put forth four spectacular performances of our original theatrical production of Ahead by a Century inspired by the words and music of the late Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip, and written and directed by the CDS cast and directing faculty. CDS is proud to share that other Canadian schools are now producing this play (in whole or in part) in recognition of Orange Shirt Day.
“Every Indigenous person’s story is unique, so having our community listen to more stories is an important step towards learning and exploring what more they can do,” says Mr. Johnston.
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Mr. Johnston shared some personal anecdotes and impacts of the discriminatory aspects of the 'Indian Act', which attempted to assimilate Indigenous peoples into white Canadian society, and how Indigenous women (including his mother) lost their status if they married non-Indigenous men. He shared the impact of being at Kanesatake in 1990 mere weeks before the Oka Crisis, and how this event has a direct connection to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and encouraged students to learn more about this important and tragic event. (Tracey Deer, also from Kanesatake, produced an incredible 2020 film “Beans” that documents living through this crisis through the eyes of the children in nearby Kahnawake Territory who were also embroiled in this conflict.)
In recent years, CDS has worked hard to incorporate more Indigenous history and culture into the curriculum. Books like Indian Horse and The Secret Path have long been assigned reading (JS and MS/SS book suggestions in story below). And in 2017, our Senior School drama students put forth four spectacular performances of our original theatrical production of Ahead by a Century inspired by the words and music of the late Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip, and written and directed by the CDS cast and directing faculty. CDS is proud to share that other Canadian schools are now producing this play (in whole or in part) in recognition of Orange Shirt Day.
“Every Indigenous person’s story is unique, so having our community listen to more stories is an important step towards learning and exploring what more they can do,” says Mr. Johnston.
On Tuesday, our faculty, staff and students wore an Orange Shirt or accessory so that we could continue our journey of reconciliation with our Indigenous peoples.
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
