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https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2020/05/statement-by-minister-chagger-on-filipino-heritage-month.html

Celebrated every June, National Indigenous History Month is a time when Canadians honour the history, heritage and diversity of First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples, and recognize the strength of Indigenous communities. The Urban Indigenous Education Centre (UIEC) is hosting a number of amazing events for students and staff. Join Indigenous artists and Elders in panel discussions, performances and film screenings discussing Indigenous art, cultures and identities. The full calendar of events will be available on the UIEC's Resources Site.

The Importance of Teaching About Residential Schools

In December 2014, the Board passed a motion, Effects of Residential Schools on Aboriginal Communities, directing the Director to “convene a committee of curriculum experts to determine a way for students to graduate with a significant knowledge of the effects of residential schools on Aboriginal communities.”

Indigenous Education remains one of the strategic drivers behind the Board's budget. And the Urban Indigenous Education Centre's (UIEC) mandate is to offer a variety of services with the goal of closing the opportunity gap for Indigenous students. This mandate is approached by infusing Indigenous perspectives across the curriculum for all students as well as by providing direct wrap-around supports to enhance the overall achievement of First Nation, Métis and Inuit students throughout the TDSB.

As the Truth & Reconciliation Commission reported, over 130 residential schools were located across the country, and the last school closed in 1996. These government-funded, church-run schools were set up to eliminate parental involvement in the intellectual, cultural, and spiritual development of Aboriginal children. During this era, more than 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were placed in these schools often against their parents' wishes. Many were forbidden to speak their language and practice their own culture. While there is an estimated 80,000 former students living today, the ongoing impact of residential schools has been felt throughout generations...

Last Thursday, the discovery of 215 bodies of children buried at the Kamloops Indian Residential School was announced by the chief of the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation. Rosanne Casimir, called the discovery an “unthinkable loss that was spoken about but never documented at the Kamloops Indian Residential School”.

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights recognizes that the colonial experience in Canada, from first contact to the present, constitutes genocide against Indigenous peoples. The Indian residential school system was one key component of this genocide.

As we mourn these children, let us redouble our efforts to ensure genocide education is part of compulsory education in Ontario and continue to support the UIEC's mandate.

The TDSB flags will be at half-mast in honour of the 215 children whose remains were uncovered in a mass unmarked grave in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. As we continue the work, there cannot be reconciliation without truth.

Please see this link for resources curated by the TDSB's Urban Indigenous Education Centre (UIEC)

Portuguese-Speaking Heritage Month is proudly recognized during the month of June at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) for the past 10 years since 2011. The Province of Ontario passed the Celebration of Portuguese Heritage Act in 2001 (Link: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/01c22) and this year marks the 20th anniversary of this Act. This year our theme is Esperança! / Hope! The attached poster was created to reflect this theme.

The contributions of the Portuguese-Speaking Heritage Community to Canada are significant as they include the arts, sports, music, culinary arts, and many professional contributions to educational and medical service areas. Canadians, along with all TDSB students, staff, and its communities and beyond all enjoy the energetic and vibrant traditions that are shared through the customs of this heritage. Over 1,400 TDSB students speak Portuguese as their mother tongue or as a primary language. Internationally, there are 250 million Portuguese-speaking people worldwide, making it the fifth-most spoken language.

We are inviting all TDSB community, students, and staff to join our Portuguese-Speaking Heritage Month virtual launch to celebrate the culture and tradition that this heritage brings.

Join us for an extraordinary hour filled with prominent guests, information and celebration on Thursday, June 10 at 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

LIVE STREAM

A PowerPoint on Portuguese-Speaking Heritage Month, is currently being created (to be shared shortly on the TDSB website). Each of the 10 countries in the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), will have a dedicated slide highlighting a citizen who has affected change and inspired hope in their country.

• Poster

• Quotes

• PowerPoint (to follow)

• Poster Slide Presentation (to follow)

• Photography Slide Presentation (to follow)

• PSHM Virtual Launch Celebration – June 10th Link (to follow)

June is Pride Month 2021 at the TDSB! It’s an opportunity to celebrate diversity and raise awareness among all staff and students about the rich culture and history of our 2SLGBTQ+ community. TDSB school communities are encouraged to hold intentional sessions with their students about issues related to 2SLGBTQ+ communities as well as the impact of homophobia, transphobia and biphobia on TDSB students, staff and community members.

Here are some of the things we’re doing at the TDSB to recognize Pride Month 2021:

• Two Spirit Indigiqueer Pride - June 16-22, 2021

• Sharing curriculum resources with all schools: please visit Gender Based Violence Prevention Links and Resources and the TDSB Urban Indigenous Education Centre to learn more about how to respectfully and intentionally honour 2-Spirit identities and how to best cultivate transformative, healthy and equitable learning spaces at their school in solidarity with Indigenous sovereignty movements.

• The TDSB's Professional Library has pulled together a list of resources to celebrate Pride, including an 2SLGBTQ+ Resource Guide https://tdsb-on-ca.libguides.com/LGBTQ2S

• Virtual raising the Pride flag at 5050 Yonge (Details to follow)

• Participating in the city’s Virtual Toronto PRIDE 2021 Parade on Sunday, June 27th– Everyone is welcome!

Please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/pride to learn more about these activities and find out how you can get involved.

For additional support and resources for 2SLGBTQ+ youth needing a safer space, community, flexibility, and/or a curriculum that reflects who they are, and are disengaged please connect with The Triangle Program http://triangleprogram.ca/.