Category: Themes, Displays, and Library Events

October is Library Month

October is International School Library Month and Canadian Library Month. Join with us as we celebrate the power and joy of libraries, and our commit to protecting this vital institution for all people.

Orange Shirt Day

Wear an orange shirt to school on Friday, September 29

September 30th is Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada. Our school will be closed on Monday, October 2. As a school community, we will take Friday, September 29 as an opportunity to learn more about Truth and Reconciliation. At Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary, we encourage all students and staff to wear an orange shirt in school on Friday, September 29, as well as on September 30th.

source: Province of British Columbia

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was established as the Canadian government’s formal recognition of the importance of Orange Shirt Day, observed on September 30 over most of the last decade, as part of the overall effort of raising awareness and provoking discussion about the impact of Residential Schools in Canada, and finding the path toward reconciliation.

Truth & Reconciliation Week in Surrey Schools

September 30 is Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This week in Surrey Schools we will learn more about Residential Schools and the impact this and other forms of oppressive colonialism have had on Indigenous Peoples, and how this affects all Canadians.

On Monday, the teachers and other staff members of LTSS had a Professional Development opportunity at the Kwantlen Cultural Center. All week long, staff will continue with Professional Development to learn more about such things as Indigenous language, art and culture.

Together, staff and students at LTSS are encouraged to take some time this week to prepare for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to take advantage of all of this week’s different opportunities to learn more about issues and ideas that are vital to Indigenous Peoples, including the horrible legacy of Residential Schools and our national desire for Truth and Reconciliation.

National Indigenous Peoples Day

From the Government of Canada:

“June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Canadian Constitution recognizes these three groups as Aboriginal peoples, also known as Indigenous peoples.

Although these groups share many similarities, they each have their own distinct heritage, language, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.

In cooperation with Indigenous organizations, the Government of Canada chose June 21, the summer solstice, for National Aboriginal Day, now known as National Indigenous Peoples Day. For generations, many Indigenous peoples and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.”

Find out more:

 Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Indigenous Peoples and Communities

Indigenous arts, culture and heritage

Quiz: First Nations, Inuit and Metis

Try the Sporcle which asks you to identify famous people from Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities. Go here to try the quiz.

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada.

Indigenous Peoples Collection

Come down to your School Library to check out our newly established Indigenous Peoples Collection. The collection features books written by indigenous writers. Here are just a few of the more recent titles that share an authentic indigenous voice.