Betty Gibson School embraces reconciliation

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This article was published 28/09/2024 (554 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Betty Gibson School in Brandon celebrated Truth and Reconciliation Week with a series of activities inside and outside the school.

Vaneesa Pascal, a Building Student Success with Indigenous Parents worker at the school, told the Sun the weeklong event was designed to foster learning, healing and connection within the school community while paying homage to Indigenous culture and the children impacted by residential schools.

“It is an honour to be able to support students, parents and staff in integrating Indigenous perspectives into the curriculum. The staff here is like family,” she said in an interview. “We offer incredible support inside and outside of the classroom, and we’re all on a big learning journey with Indigenous culture.”

One of the most prominent symbols of the week was the heart installation outside the school, which represents the children who never made it home from residential schools. The students made paintings on paper in heart shapes, glued each to sticks and tucked them into the ground under a tree in front of the school.

“Each heart is not just a decoration; it is a symbol of remembrance and a teaching tool,” she said. “From kindergarten to Grade 8, we’ve been discussing the meaning of truth and reconciliation.”

In addition to the heart installation, chain links can be seen around the school, each link decorated with messages from students about what makes them unique and special.

Pascal, who is at the helm of co-ordinating the week’s event, said every link has something personal written on it, such as “I am loved,” “I am kind,” or “I am beautiful.” It’s a celebration of individuality and self-worth, she said.

The school, she said, is dedicated to creating an inclusive space for Indigenous students, many of whom make up a significant portion of the student body.

“I want Indigenous students to feel loved, valued and supported as they reconnect with their roots and foster a sense of pride in who they are,” she said.

Pascal said she has deep roots in Indigenous culture — her mother is Ojibwe — and she acknowledges the challenges previous generations faced in maintaining their cultural identity. Now, as a bridge between the past and present, she sees her work at the school as a way to help the next generation reclaim their history.

The school also welcomed elders and knowledge keepers into its halls — another significant aspect of Truth and Reconciliation Week, she said.

The elders’ presence in the school is very important, she said, describing elders as “invaluable sources of wisdom.”

“When an elder dies, it’s like a library closes,” she said. “We need to ensure their knowledge is passed down to future generations.”

For Pascal, one of the most beautiful moments of the week came when students proudly showed their parents the hearts and chain links they had created.

“I start work early, co-ordinating the breakfast program, and I’ve seen kids bring their parents to the school to show them the decorations and explain what they represent. It’s opening space for conversations, even with those outside of the Indigenous culture, which is exactly what we need to build understanding and healing,” she said.

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