Over 1,000 Students Engage in Truth and Reconciliation for Orange Shirt Day

Over 1,000 students engaged in truth and reconciliation through two powerful events at the Kapabamayak Achaak Healing Forest Winnipeg ahead of Orange Shirt Day in September 2025.

Students heard firsthand accounts and lived experiences of our Elder and Knowledge Keepers. Students listened to the way our Elder and Knowledge Keepers were affected by

residential schools, what they learned about themselves, their family, their

communities and how they found healing in their lives. They shared how we can

continue going forward together in a good way that respects the truth and

honours our shared path towards reconciliation.

Students participated in ceremonial drum songs, a smudging ceremony, tobacco offerings, and medicine picking. They discovered our grandmother and grandfather rock paintings located in the four cardinal directions in the forest, discovered the covered-up creek and

got to watch the river flow by as they enjoyed the land.

Having students learn about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and

Orange Shirt Day in the Healing Forest is a meaningful way to connect with

Indigenous perspectives, gain a deeper appreciation for the land and foster a

shared sense of responsibility.

Community organizations came to take part in these days of commemoration,

remembering, learning and healing. The Manitoba Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society shared an activity about the land and reconciliation. Georges Beaudry was onsite with a Red River Cart to share Métis artifacts and stories. We had a member from the City of Winnipeg’s Indigenous Relations Division come and share about Rainbow

Butterfly, her story and MMIWG2S+.

Storyteller Georges Beaudry, better known as Bon’Homme Beaudry, brought a Red River Cart to the Kapabamayak Achaak Healing Forest Winnipeg to teach students about the Métis experience.

We had two tipis on site where staff and students held sharing circles. In the second tipi, we had an Elder and volunteers reading books to students.

Bannock and jam was provided to all who visited the forest from Baba's Bannock and Jam fund, which was created in memory of one of the founders of Kapabamayak Achaak. Dr. Lee Anne Block loved children and wanted to make sure that students who visited the forest would always have something warm and delicious to eat. Her vision continues to inspire and guide us today.

Participating schools:

École Luxton School (several classes on Thursday)

Edmund Partridge Community School (whole school on Thursday)

Faraday School (five classes on Friday)

Machray School (several classes on Friday)

Champlain School (several classes on Friday)

By the Numbers:

Total students over the two days: 1,017

Total staff over the two days: 57

Total students Thursday: 665

Total staff Thursday: 32

Total students Friday: 352

Total staff Friday: 25

Social Work students from the Université de Saint-Boniface also participated.

The Keepers of The Forest - Val Vint, Rachelle Carlisle and son, Thelma Hanson, Judy Wasylycia-Leis, Kerry Saner-Harvey and Kyle Mason (from right to left)