'With change comes truth': TVDSB hosts Truth and Reconciliation day of learning

Students from three elementary schools in the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) were taking part in a day of learning on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Students from three elementary schools in the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) were taking part in a day of learning on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

“I feel like it's important for people to know what happened a long time ago,” says Carson White,11, a student at Lord Elgin Public School in London, Ont.

“If they don't know, they will just assume that nothing has happened and there's nothing to remember on Orange Shirt day.”

White’s school along with Prince Charles Public School, and June Rose Public School from St. Thomas, Ont. were at the Western Fair Agriplex Monday to take part in workshops, and programming by Chippewas of the Thames First Nation and the Wampum Learning Lodge at Western University.

“I think the education aspect of it is very important teaching people about, the reconciliation aspect of today and going forward how things can change and how with change comes truth,” says Alli White, Carson’s older sister who is an Indigenous leader at Montcalm Secondary School.

“I think these education days are an awesome opportunity for students across the board to get more of an aspect of indigenous topics and from indigenous voices”.

The Eagle Flight Singers band and Jingle Dress Dancers performed on stage. The day also included speakers like London Mayor Josh Morgan, and Chief Todd Cornelius of Oneida Nation of the Thames First Nation. JUNO award winning singer William Prince performed on stage for the students.