Classrooms across Canada to embrace Truth and Reconciliation Week programs

Manitoba is showing its support for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation's Canadian youth programs during Truth and Reconciliation Week.

Manitoba's Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere and Education Minster Cliff Cullen are announcing Wednesday that they giving the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) $75,000 to help them deliver programming next week for Canadian youth in Kindergarten to Grade 12.

“This will provide educational leaders an incredible opportunity not only for their students but also for themselves to better understand, reflect and learn about Indigenous history," Cullen says in a statement.

Cullen says educators have valuable teaching and learning resources from the NCTR as he and Lagimodiere look to support them for Truth and Reconciliation Week starting on Monday.

“We are pleased to be able to work with the Province of Manitoba on this historic moment and for their partnership in making this week of educational programming possible," NCTR's Executive Director Stephanie Scott says in the joint statement.

The funds will help them deliver classroom activities such as programs on land and treaties, language and culture, truth and reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day and elder-youth knowledge transfer.

“These events will focus on increasing awareness, knowledge and understanding among youth to encourage reflection and meaningful discussions about the impacts of residential schools. It will also give youth the opportunity to learn about the important contributions that Indigenous peoples have made and continue to make in our province and across Canada, and the importance of respecting the treaties and embracing cultural diversities," Lagimodiere says.

This is the second year the NCTR has done this week, but it's the first time with National Truth and Reconciliation Day, formally known as Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day was officially recognized in 2017 by the Province of Manitoba. 

In the province of Manitoba itself, on Tuesday Lagimodiere and Sport Culture and Heritage Minister Cathy Cox announced the Manitoba Museum would be receiving $50,000 from provincial funds to offer National Day for Truth and Reconciliation programming.

“Truth requires painful and often uncomfortable moments of awareness and reflection. While walking through the museum galleries, visitors will follow a path which will open their hearts and minds to a history which may challenge their previous understanding,” Manitoba Museum's CEO Dorota Blumczyńska says.

Programming at the museum on September 30 will include an NCTR partnership as they share a new exhibit developed with the former Portage la Prairie Residential School, screening three documentaries, pre-recordings made with an interpreter from the NCTR and the museum's exterior being lit in orange.