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PARENTING HEALTH & WELLNESS
Our Children | Fall 2021
Beyond orange shirts Creating a conversation with your children about residential schools
By Jill Chappell
The Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available 24/7. Call 1-866-925-4419 for mental health support.
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n Sept. 30, elementary students will come together in a sea of orange shirts in the spirit of reconciliation. Orange Shirt Day is a time to acknowledge the trauma facing Indigenous communities due to residential schools, while promoting truth and reconciliation. Remembering the Indigenous children who died, and the actions that led to these atrocities, is more pressing than ever as the number of confirmed unmarked graves climbs into the thousands. “It is most important that parents engage in learning more about residential
schools and their legacy, acknowledging that many families are still dealing and living with the trauma from attending or having a family member attend one of these schools,” says Katie Gloade, Mi’kmaq educator and PhD health student at Dalhousie University. “There are so many resources available online, in print, and in person that individuals can access. The more a parent understands, the better ability they will have to answer tough questions.” Gloade, who grew up in Millbrook First Nation, works with the Aboriginal Children’s Hurt & Healing (ACHH) Initiative at the IWK Health Centre. She specializes in the impact of intergenerational trauma and actively works to promote the health and healing of Indigenous communities.
She says to focus on creating a comfortable environment and supporting your child through their emotional response. “When children start asking those tough questions the key is to provide a positive, patient, and ongoing conversation,” says Gloade. “This topic may cause a range of emotions in children and it’s important to acknowledge those feelings and support your child through them. Parents shouldn’t shy away from bringing up the conversation at home, so that children know their parents are aware of the topic. Once the invitation is there, allow the child to direct the conversation at their own pace.” Support your children to take the lead in the learning process through the pages of a book. Families can immerse
