Alexandra Middle School students continue residential school learning

“It’s not just a past event, it’s really leaning towards the effect it will have on the future,” grade seven student Annie Noon told Chat News.

Further discussions and teachings are what give the public school division’s First Nations, Metis & Inuit education coordinator Darrell Willier, ‘hope.’

“Part of the Truth and Reconciliation is dealing with the truth, as some of the students talked about,” Willier said. “So when we can deal with the truth honestly and openly, then we can look at reconciliation and how those two will come together.”

AMS humanities teacher Paul Bennett says students are taking action and completely engaged in this subject.

Adding that in his starting years of teaching, these conversations were not happening.

Bennett describes the 12 and 13-year-old students as remarkable young people who are concerned about the world we live in and want to make a difference.

“It’s not that they’re just passively going through the information, they’re actually digesting it and thinking about it,” Bennett said. “Sometimes you’ll get an email late at night with a question and they’re having dinner table conversations.”

Additionally, the school has made decals to represent their commitment and continued learning of the issue.

Bennett adds the stickers are reminders to stand up and step forward.

“And it’s a commitment to continue to search for the others that need to be found, and to commit to the conversation that needs to continue to be had.”

The 215 event is eye-opening, students are dedicated to discussions and honouring residential school victims.

“People are still suffering and we can’t move forward until we know the truth,” grade 7 student Mateo Laliberte added.

To start the day, the students also took part in a smudging ceremony outside the school.

by Chantal Wagner

Alexandra Middle School students continue residential school learning

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