Staff and students at a local high school are doing their part to create awareness for truth and reconciliation.
Parry Sound High School students took part in the Walk for Wenjack – which honours the memory of 12-year-old Chanie Wenjack – an Ojibwe child who died of hunger and exposure in 1966 when he fled a residential school in Kenora.
The school was 600 kilometres away from his community.
In Parry Sound alone, students logged over 250 kilometres for the initiative which acknowledges the harm that was inflicted to native children and an action to change behaviour.
Board Chair Jay Aspin says they are very proud to see staff and students engaging in acts of reconciliation.
“Honouring the memory of Chanie Wenjack is an important step on our journey,” he said. “We must continue to work together with our Indigenous partners to ensure we are moving forward in a positive way.”
Wenjack’s story became more widely known through the advocacy work of late Tragically Hip Vocalist Gord Downie.
PSHS is a Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund Legacy School.
According to the program’s website, the Legacy Schools program is a free national initiative to engage, empower and connect students and educators to further reconciliation through awareness, education and action.
Director of Education Craig Myles says events such as this help us to reflect on the past and work towards a better future.
“I’m very happy to see our staff and students engaging in active learning about reconciliation,” he said. “Continued dedication to this cause will help create a better, more equitable community and a better future for all Canadians.”
NNDSB also has legacy schools in MacTier, Mattawa and North Bay.
Chippewa Secondary School and West Ferris Secondary School also completed walks.