Semiahmoo Secondary rekindles relationship with Semiahmoo First Nation in recognition of Orange Shirt Day

Back row, from left: Semiahmoo Secondary student Jaidyn Guy, Semiahmoo First Nation Chief Harley Chappell and student Megan Holding. Front row, from left, Paulo Scalletta, Christian Snead and Tyler Cox of the Technology Education Department.

To recognize Orange Shirt Day, Semiahmoo Secondary students and staff have partnered with Semiahmoo First Nation (SFN) to co-design custom T-shirts.

Orange Shirt Day, held annually on Sept. 30, is a day to educate and promote awareness about the Indian residential school system in Canada, and recognize its lasting effect on Indigenous communities. The day encourages Canadians to wear orange shirts to show their support for Indigenous communities.

Derek Strauss, vice-principal of Semiahmoo Secondary, said the idea of a custom shirt with the SFN logo stemmed from the creative energy of the school’s Indigenous Advocate Teachers, Christian Snead and Jeff Williams, as well as an ongoing conversation with Semiahmoo First Nation Chief Harley Chappell, which began 18 months ago.

“I reached out to Chief Harley Chappell because it was important to me that Semiahmoo Secondary acknowledge our roots on the peninsula with the Semiahmoo First Nation,” said Strauss, who has Aboriginal Education under his portfolio as vice-principal. “We want to ensure we maintain a positive relationship with the community in the spirit of reconciliation and carry on this dialogue as we rekindle the relationship.”

The custom orange shirts (fabricated by the school’s Technology Education Department), Strauss said, are just the start in solidifying a collaboration with the community that shares the Semiahmoo First Nation’s artwork, culture, and history with students.

“We want to use this opportunity to educate students on our past, and how we can continue to preserve our history moving forward,” said Chappell. “Collaborations of this nature are vital in sharing the impact of the past on our communities and raising awareness for future generations.”

“Indigenous history is Canadian history, and it’s critical that Semiahmoo Secondary students understand the experiences of our Aboriginal communities,” said Strauss.

The school and SFN are also investigating the potential to work together on a school logo, and explore house or welcome posts and other indigenous art and learning options for the school.

For more information on Orange Shirt Day, visit orangeshirtday.org