Stop by Howard PS TOMORROW, June 4 between 2pm and 4:30pm to tie a ribbon, write a message in chalk and show your commitment to taking further actions of reconciliation.
One week after 215 children’s remains were found buried at the former Kamloops Residential School on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation territory, we as a community want to gather to mourn and honour all of those children who are missing and have been murdered. Indigenous peoples have been telling us for years that a much larger number of children were murdered and harmed at residential schools across the country. By gathering to mourn we can also acknowledge the generations of First Nations, Métis and Inuit families and communities who have been impacted by residential schools and ongoing colonization and genocide.
On Friday June 4, a number of communities in Parkdale, High Park and Toronto’s West End are tying 215 orange ribbons on the fence at their schools and leaving messages of support, love and commitment to decolonization in chalk on the sidewalk.
While this event is meant to remember the lives of the 215 children murdered at the Kamloops Residential School, it should serve as a catalyst for our communities to participate in the decolonization and reconciliation that First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities have been calling for. As a community we will commit to reconciliation and ending genocide.
Stop by Howard JPS on June 4 between 2pm and 4:30pm to tie a ribbon, write a message in chalk and show your commitment to taking further actions of reconciliation. Before attending, please consider which of the calls to action you will commit to. A list of suggestions and resources can be found in this comprehensive list (thanks to Alex Mlynek of Perth JPS for putting this PDF together).
Ribbons will be provided by volunteers but bring your own chalk if possible.
Please remember to wear a mask and keep 2 metres apart from other people outside your family.
Participating families and carers from the following school communities:
- Brock P.S
- Carleton Village Junior and Senior P.S
- City View Alternative Senior P.S
- Dovercourt P.S
- Fern Avenue Junior and Senior P.S
- Garden Avenue Junior PS
- Grove Community School
- Holy Family Catholic School
- Howard Junior P.S (Thank you Midori Miyamoto from the Equity Committee for coordinating!)
- Humbercrest P.S
- Humberside C.I
- Indian Road Crescent Junior and Senior P.S
- Parkdale Junior and Senior P.S
- Pauline P.S
- Perth Avenue Junior P.S
- Queen Victoria P.S
- Runnymede P.S
- Shirley Street Junior P.S
- St Cecilia Catholic School
- St Vincent de Paul Catholic School
- Sunnylea Junior P.S
- Swansea Junior and Senior P.S
- The Grove Community School
- Western Technical Commercial School
For survivors of residential schools and their families, the Indian Residential School Survivors Society offers counselling support. Call:
1-800-721-0066
or call the national 24/7 Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419
Howard Public School Council 