Reflections on Truth and Reconciliation Day from Primary Teacher Who Has a Lot to Learn

As a Kindergarten teacher, the first month of school often feels like a whirlwind. For many of my littles, it’s their first experience with so many things: the first recess, the first assembly, the first time away from home.

For some, it’s also the first time they begin to learn about difficult truths— that there is injustice, racism and unkindness in the world. Orange shirt day and Truth and Reconciliation Day are often some of the first exposures for our littles to these ideas.

These are big, challenging topics for such young learners, and honestly, it can feel overwhelming for us as teachers, too. But I keep reminding myself that this work, while difficult, is also so important. The question is—how do we even begin to tackle such a big issue in an age-appropriate way?

I first want to acknowledge here that I still have a lot of work to do to become the kind of teacher I want to be in this area. I offer these ideas as start to a conversation and am happy to learn from others on this topic.

Educating Ourselves First

For me, the first step has been educating myself, so I can better understand the realities and legacy of residential schools and systematic institutionalized racism and oppression in Canada. A resource that’s been especially eye-opening for me is Gladys We Never Knew  on the BCTF website. While it’s geared towards older students (Grade 4 and up), it has helped me as a teacher to understand the deep institutional cruelty behind residential schools—the way these schools were part of a larger system designed to strip children of their culture, language, and identity. Even though my students are young, this deeper understanding has given me the grounding I need to begin these conversations with them. UBC also offers a free online course that has been incredibly helpful for building this foundational knowledge.

It hasn’t just been about reading books, though. I’ve also found a lot of value in learning from my district's and school Indigenous Education team. They’ve provided guidance, resources, and support that have helped me navigate how to approach this with my young learners. Attending events hosted by local Indigenous groups, or even joining online communities where Indigenous educators share their perspectives, has also been invaluable. I’m learning that there are so many opportunities to listen, learn, and grow in this space.

One of the most meaningful sources of learning for me has been conversations with my Indigenous friends. When the topic of Indigenous issues comes up, I like to ask, “What is one thing you want me and my students to know about your experiences as an Indigenous person?” These conversations have been powerful because they allow me to learn and and grow in my understanding and help guide my teaching. For that, I am so grateful.

Teaching Young Students

When it comes to teaching these topics to primary students, I’ve found that starting with age-appropriate picture books is one of the best ways to begin. Books written by Indigenous authors offer such a rich and authentic way to gently introduce the topic of residential schools. Here are a few that have really resonated with me and my students:

1. Phyllis's Orange Shirt by Phyllis Webstad This book shares the true story behind Orange Shirt Day, where Phyllis recounts her experience of having her orange shirt taken away at a residential school. It’s a simple but powerful way to introduce the idea of fairness, kindness, and the ongoing impact of residential schools in a way that younger children can understand.

2. Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell In this beautifully written story, Shi-shi-etko spends her last few days with her family before being taken to a residential school. The emphasis on her deep connection to her culture, family, and the land helps my students begin to understand the importance of heritage and the sadness of losing it.

3. When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson This gentle story focuses on a young girl learning from her grandmother about the time she spent in a residential school. It highlights resilience and love, and it introduces the topic of residential schools without overwhelming young readers.

   
   

These books have opened the door to important conversations in my classroom. They’ve helped my students connect with stories of kindness, fairness, family, and listening to others' experiences.

Five Tips for Navigating This Topic in the Classroom

I’ve been reflecting a lot on how to introduce these big, complex ideas to such young learners. Here are some tips from DWF that I’ve found helpful:

1. Educate yourself, but don’t feel like you need to be an expert to get started. I’m still learning, and it’s okay to start small. We’re all on this journey together.

2. Use age-appropriate, authentic resources. Books like those mentioned above have been invaluable for helping me bring these stories to life for my students.

3. Learn about intergenerational trauma. Understanding how the past affects Indigenous communities today helps me frame these conversations with more depth.

4. Start with what your students already know. Sometimes, students surprise us with their insights. I’ve found that tapping into their existing knowledge can help shape our discussions.

5. Keep it simple for young children. At this age, we can focus on basic themes like fairness, kindness, and listening to others’ stories without diving too deep into overwhelming details.

   
   

These reminders help ground me in my teaching, especially when the weight of the topic feels heavy. It’s all about planting seeds of empathy and understanding, even if it’s just in small steps.

Fostering Empathy and Understanding

For many of my students, this is the first time they’re hearing about children not being treated kindly or fairly. We start with concepts they already understand—kindness, fairness, and respect. From there, we slowly introduce the idea that not all children have had those experiences, and we listen to the stories of those who have.

Books like Phyllis’s Orange Shirt and Shi-shi-etko have been gentle, but impactful, entry points into these conversations. By focusing on the human elements—family, identity, community, acceptance, and resilience—we help our students begin to foster empathy and understanding.

The Path Ahead: Listening and Learning

Truth and Reconciliation Day is a time for all of us to reflect on our shared history. But it’s also a reminder of the ongoing work we need to do. For my students, and for me, that work begins with listening. Listening to the voices of Indigenous people who have lived through these experiences. Listening to the stories that often go untold. And from there, we can start to understand, heal, and build a better future together.

As teachers, we have a unique opportunity to foster empathy and understanding in the next generation. My hope is that by teaching these difficult truths—no matter how young my students are—we are helping to create a world where compassion and fairness guide our actions.

So, what did we learn at school today?

 I always tell my students that I’m not just a teacher but also a student. And with this topic, I feel that more deeply than ever. So, what did I learn? I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn—and I hope we can keep learning together.

So?

What are your thoughts? How do you approach these difficult topics with your students? What do you want me to know about your experiences?