A wood heart bearing the image of an orange shirt hangs in each classroom at Monterey Middle School. TheyB次元官网网址檙e a gift from Namgis artist Jamin Zuroski, crafted from a piece of a Garry oak that fell in the Oak Bay schoolyard.
Zuroski explained the small gift in a video crafted to help students understand Orange Shirt Day.
Wearing an orange shirt of his own design, with a small square of moose hide pinned on, he opens the video with a brief history of Orange Shirt Day.
Now also known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day was started by residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad. Then just six, Webstad proudly wore a new orange shirt to her first day of school. It was immediately taken.
Zuroski encouraged viewers to do further research on the subject and to seek out the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He urged people to hear the stories of those who want to share because there are so many who simply cannot.
Happening now : Jamin Zurowski - Indigenous artist & creator of these 4 cedar panels representing our 4 school teams (Bears, Ravens, Orcas, Wolves) - is speaking virtually w every class, sharing his gifts & guiding us thru Orange Shirt Day reflections
B次元官网网址� Ken Andrews (@KenAndrewsEduc)
B次元官网网址淭hrough collaboration, trust and care, we too can each share our stories and become a tighter knit community because of it,B次元官网网址� Zuroski said.
Feeding off the intergenerational knowledge transfer, Zuroski is drawn to working with youth.
With pieces in about eight schools in the Greater Victoria School District, Zuroski is also a member of the Aboriginal role model program in the Sooke School District.
He encourages all to go to events, be with like-minded people. Events such as those marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, such as the Xe xe SmunB次元官网网址� eem-Victoria Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters Ceremony in Centennial Square from noon to 2:30 p.m., or the NaB次元官网网址檛saB次元官网网址檓aht Gathering hosted by the Lekwungen Peoples in Colwood at Royal Beach (Metchosin Road at Latoria Boulevard) until 4 p.m. He hopes to attend both.
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B次元官网网址淚 do think there is forward movement. There is a care coming to light in a public and institutional realm B次元官网网址� that people are saying kind words and wanting to say sorry for those who have done wrong and wanting to build new relationships. I see myself as a community messenger supporter advocate in sharing some facts,B次元官网网址� he said.
The video winds down with an exercise to help send good energy, or express desire for change. Zuroski urged people to grab a piece of paper, draw a heart with a T-shirt image and then just write, draw and feel.
B次元官网网址淭his is an opportunity for us to share our thoughts and our feelings. Putting it down on paper is one really good way to do that,B次元官网网址� he said.
It ends with a simple gilakasB次元官网网址檒a (thank you).
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