Surrey Schools recognizes Truth & Reconciliation with Xw’epiteng Elementary, Orange Shirt Day and more

Rose Fidder, a Métis Grade 7 student at Bear Creek Elementary, created this year's design for the district's orange shirts to recognize Orange Shirt Day, remembering those lost to residential schools and honouring the survivors.

As we enter the fourth year of the formal recognition of National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, Surrey Schools continues to highlight the importance of Indigenous culture, history and learning with the opening of Xw’epiteng Elementary and the start of its new outdoor land-based learning program, rooted in the traditions of Indigenous Coast Salish culture.

Named by Semiahmoo First Nation Chief Harley Chappell, the word Xw’epiteng (pronounced “woh-pee-ten”) means “place of many rabbits” and aligns with the new program’s establishment, which sees kindergarten to Grade 7 students engage in a rich blend of indoor and outdoor educational experiences that integrate B.C.’s curriculum with local Indigenous teachings as stewards of the land.

“The program has been very well-received by the Indigenous community in Surrey,” said Lyn Daniels, Director of Instruction with Surrey Schools' Indigenous Learning department, noting about one-third of the school’s students are Indigenous learners. “On the first day, Chief Harley Chappell welcomed them to the territory and talked about how the school is based on knowledge from Coast Salish people and the land.

“I looked around the room and the faces of the parents were just so happy, so pleased and so hopeful.”

Daniels said Indigenous-focused programs such as the outdoor land-based learning program represent the truth in Truth & Reconciliation, providing a unique lens through which to view the area’s rich history while honouring Coast Salish Peoples. She also noted the programs are of cultural significance to many Indigenous learners, connecting and aligning with their heritage in a way that is more engaging and insightful than a standard classroom environment.

“We want to frame the learning that comes from the land, and the Semiahmoo People in particular, in ways that will be important for the students and families to understand, and they can take that knowledge and have a solid identity in who they are as Indigenous People on Semiahmoo territory,” said Daniels. “They are looking for those kinds of teachings for as a way to make meaning in their life that they don’t have in a typical school.

“I feel a huge responsibility that we can address their hope for a successful education.”

👕 Orange Shirt Day

In other parts of Surrey and White Rock, students across the district are recognized Orange Shirt Day earlier this week, in lieu of the Sept. 30 statutory holiday for the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, remembering those lost to residential schools and honouring the survivors.

This year’s district orange shirt was designed by Rose Fidder, a Métis Grade 7 student from Bear Creek Elementary, featuring an Every Child Matters design. Other designs by Grade 12 Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary student James Henry and Grade 7 École K.B. Woodward Elementary student Makani Szwaba were runners-up.

“Wearing an orange shirt is a small way to honour the survivors and to those who didn’t make it home,” said Daniels.

Professional Development

For Surrey Schools staff, the district’s Indigenous helping teachers planned a week of Truth & Reconciliation events, culminating with keynote speeches by Sundance Chief Rueben George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Coast Salish graphic artist Ovila Mailhot, whose roots are both of the Sto:lo and Nlaka’pamux Nation.

The days’ events were as follows:

• Monday: hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ Language with Paula James and Halq'eméylem Language with Lee Prevost
• Tuesday: The Orange Shirt Story, Phyllis Webstad Answers Kids’ Questions and Indigenous Change-makers Share a Message with You
• Wednesday: Coast Salish Art with Ovila Mailhot and Hands-on Activities to use while teaching Truth & Reconciliation
• Thursday: Métis Beading with Cheryl Corrick, Amanda Anderson shares her Regalia, and Singing and Drumming and Stories of the Round Dance with Leo Linklater
• Friday: Morning Virtual Keynote by Rueben George (K-12, 9 to 10 a.m.) and Afternoon Virtual Speaker Ovila Mailhot (K-12, 1 to 2 p.m.)