recognizing Truth & Reconciliation at Riverview Ashland Child Care Centre
At RACC we are starting to make small steps towards accomplishing the recommendations of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission's recommendations as they are appropriate for children ages 3-12 years of age.
As an organization we've recently updated our Parent Handbook and Curriculum Framework to include the passage:
Our curriculum is profoundly tied to the land we live on and the community we are part of. We recognise that our program takes place on ancestral lands, Treaty 1 territory, traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. We spend significant time outside in all weather and all seasons. From long, unstructured play in our yard, neighbourhood parks, and the woods, we provide a deep connection to the place our children are from. Children establish a relationship and familiarity with the map of their neighbourhood, including our plants, animals and river.
This year, we will be incorporating activities into our curriculum through out the year but specifically this week we have planned a few events/activities that we thought we'd share with you.
The Preschool group will be reading the books: You Hold Me Up, When We Were Alone and Walking Together as well as joining Ecole Riverview on Friday, September 9th for their special assembly outdoors which will show case traditional dancers.
The School Age group will be making DIY orange shirts and also making cards and gifts to honour Koko Vina Swain (Mary Jane's Mom) who is a residential school survivor and is turning 99 in October! We thought it would be a good opportunity for the children to learn that they have a personal connection to someone who is directly effected by the history of residential schools in Manitoba in addition to learning about Orange Shirt Day as a historical event.
In October (date tba) we will be having a return visit from a special guest, Ko'ona Saber who will be sharing teachings with the school age and preschool children.
We consider these to be first steps and look forward to learning and growing together!
As of 2024, RACC will be closed to honour Truth & Reconciliation Day and will recognize a day in lieu if the day falls on the weekend. You can follow our calendar on this website to find out when the closure will be.
Thx for reading!