Students and staff at Stony Mountain School celebrated and honoured the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with several Orange Shirt Day events on Sept. 25.
Activities were organized by school counsellor Dawn Bartholomew and students in her Sources of Strength group — a school-wide initiative designed to build community and promote belonging, well-being, growth and inclusion.
“We are very fortunate to have a group of energetic students who volunteer their time to develop positive messaging campaigns that include interactive school-wide activities,” said Bartholomew. “We play games, share stories and connect with each other in meaningful ways. It is a great team effort and the whole school becomes engaged in a common theme.”
For Orange Shirt Day, each class made its own batch of Three Sisters Stew, preparing ingredients that included ground bison and elk donated by Kelly Farmer. Students also made bannock to go with the stew, played Indigenous games and completed an Elaxia Saari Ojibwe floral design–inspired “beaded” art project.
Bartholomew said the day was deeply meaningful for many students and staff.
“Honouring Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is important for many reasons. Learning about the truths, acknowledging the past and celebrating a culture that was repressed for such a long time is all part of reconciliation — restoring friendly, respectful relations,” she said. “Someone approached me the following day and told me they experienced an almost indescribable feeling. They said they finally felt like they were healing. What a difference a day can make.”
For Bartholomew, a highlight of the day was the food. She enjoyed learning how to prepare the Three Sisters Stew and loved its taste and aroma. She also shared the history of bannock with classes as each group made its own batch. Some students even cooked their bannock on a stick over a fire and described it as “their best. day. ever.”
“Food is such a great way to celebrate culture and to bring people together,” Bartholomew added.
Students and staff ended the day with cake and freezies donated by Larry Flett of the local Manitoba Métis Federation.
“He is such a genuine human who wants to connect in a positive way with the school and community,” Bartholomew said. “It has been really wonderful getting to know Larry.”
