September 30 was the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, though many school children around the country marked this day on Friday September 29, as did the students at Ormstown Elementary shown here. At a ceremony in the playground area, the children assembled to form a ‘circle of reconciliation’ around the words ‘Every Child Matters’ drawn in chalk. A grade 6 student recited the Land Acknowledgement, and Principal Jessica Mackay reminded everyone of the importance of ‘Orange Shirt Day.’ Orange shirts are worn to raise awareness and to acknowledge the loss of many Indigenous children who were sent away to Residential Schools and who never returned home. After the ceremony, students and staff marched silently around the Ormstown streets to demonstrate their support. (YLL)
