Letters to the Editor - Truth and Reconciliation in Canada - Part 1

BY: SHERI ALCORDO’S GRADE 7-8 CLASS

Nov 29, 2021

Dear Editor,                                

    Today, youth in public schools are learning the relevance of student voice.  That is, having the opportunity to view perspectives using different lenses about social justice issues, have dialogue, reflect and then think of ways to impact a larger audience to take action.  Award winning teacher, Sheri Alcordo makes a point of providing learning opportunities for her students to be empowered and engage in cross curricular, culturally relevant and inclusive learning, in this case, letter writing, for an intentional purpose.

    Cultural relevance is embedded into Alcordo’s program, but in more depth, during the month of September, Grade 7-8 students in her Virtual Grade 7-8 class investigated the significance of Truth and Reconciliation Day, that takes place on September 30.  Throughout the month, students actively learned through various readings written by survivors of residential schools in Canada, and developed empathy and a sense of purpose to demonstrate student voice to the larger community, with the purpose of being advocates of awareness.  They were part of a presentation about Sept. 30, by writing poetry and presenting it to the school regarding the importance of Truth and Reconciliation not just in September, but also developing an awareness and understanding about advocacy and compassion every day.  Students also investigated whose voice has often been missing in historical text books and discussions about Canadian veterans, when leading the Remembrance day assembly in November, sharing with school mates the integral part of Indigenous and other people from different cultural backgrounds that supported and fought during the war to make it a diverse and collaborative effort.

    Alcordo and her students decided to write letters to the Editor of the Downsview Advocate as a means to use the power of their words and media (the newspaper), to educate, inform and even persuade a call to action to help the larger community understand that Truth and Reconciliation Day is an important step, but that such awareness should be a regular occurrence. Students have been impassioned to inspire readers to a call to action to use a lens of inclusion to help or at least understand the unjust experiences many Canadian Indigenous families have had to experience.   Students have learned that the power of words in writing can potentially inspire change by those affected by their words, to learn more and perhaps carry forward the information or directly help.  Students have also written to convey that these issues have gone on for too long and that should never happen again!   

Sincerely,

Mrs. Alcordo’s Grade 7-8 Class, Gulfstream PS

  Nov. 22, 2021

Dear Editor of the Downsview Advocate,           

Hi, I am a Grade 8 student at Gulfstream PS in Mrs. Alcordo’s class. I’m writing this to you so that I can express my thoughts and feelings about Truth and Reconciliation day that took place September 30. Excitement, amazement and happiness were words that filled my heart when Truth and Reconciliation Day was recognized.  It was a long day coming. Nevertheless, every culture is important irrespective of their color, race or nationality.  The fact that one person was willing to speak up and become a voice to those who did not have that opportunity gave me hope as a child.  September 30 has been welcomed by me and will always be a part of my history.                                                                                                                                  

Words cannot explain the horror and torture that was done to those children within these residential schools. Learning about this made me feel very down and unhappy.  Who said it's okay to make families worry about the whereabouts of their children?   Who said It's okay to force children out of their culture?  Who said it's okay to abuse children mentally and emotionally?  These children never had a voice!   They never stood a chance!   Their cries were ignored!  This behavior should not be accepted in our society “Every Child Matters ''.  Truth and Reconciliation  Day must live on.

 When I first learned about it at school, l had many questions. As children, I think it's our responsibility to have an interest in learning about the culture of indigenous people. We must remember they were our first inhabitants in Canada who helped build this beautiful country.   I believe it should be taught in every school because it's part of our history, that has been ignored for too long.   We can continue this legacy by writing a letter to the Prime Minister, encouraging him to ensure that everything in his power is done to save every indigenous child from being faced with such hardship ever again.   We can show our support by buying the Orange T Shirts and being more accepting.   Also, there should be less words and more action by the government to ensure that Indigenous history lives on. 

When we are stronger, together we can do better!

Let’s not wait forever before another child faces danger!

Truth and Reconciliation day should always be a voice now and in the future!

Sincerely,

TJ,  Grade 8 student in Toronto

November, 22, 2021                                  

Dear Editor of Downsview Advocate,              

Hi I am Zahra, a Grade 7 student in the Toronto area and I’m writing to you to express my views about Truth and Reconciliation day that took place on September 30th.

 I think that the day of Truth and Reconciliation should be explained more to the public so people who don’t know what happened with the Indigenous children, start to find out and understand why we have this day in the calendar. I also think people should know why the day of Truth and Reconciliation is on  September 30th. Truth and Reconciliation day should be explained more, so that people can gain knowledge on what happened with the children. Instead of thinking it’s a normal day where nothing really happened, Starvation, Illness, Stress, Anxiety, Depression and loneliness are just a few things the children would’ve felt.

They weren’t able to follow their Religion and religious beliefs, they weren’t able to see their families for months. They were forced to wear “Modern” clothing, and they weren’t allowed to do anything which reminded them of their cultural background. The worst part was when those children came back from the residential schools they wouldn’t remember how to communicate with their family or remember any of their traditions. They’d probably feel like they don’t belong there, which was not right.  If the Government of the time would’ve let the children stay and not have to go then all the deaths, and the things the children suffered would’ve never happened. 

People should know what happened with the Indigenous children in the Residential schools so it doesn’t happen to anyone again. People normally don’t know why Truth and Reconciliation day is on September 30th or what happened in the residential schools. I think students should learn more about what happened and how it affected the children’s mental health. Students nowadays should also think about what happened.                                                                                                                                                                                       

This is why we should look back and not repeat those mistakes with any culture because everyone has the right to believe in their culture and cultural beliefs. In conclusion, I think that people should have more knowledge over what happened with the kids who went to the residential schools, and why September 30th is the day when we remember the children. The message I want people to know is that what happened in the residential schools should not of happened with anybody no matter their culture or religious beliefs.

Sincerely,

Zahra