Lesson Title: The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
🔆 Honoring Truth, Embracing Reconciliation 🔆
September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, also known as Orange Shirt Day. It’s a chance for us to pause, remember the children who never came home from residential schools, and listen to the voices of survivors.
This lesson helps students learn the history, reflect on why the day matters, and think about what reconciliation can look like in their own lives. Together, you’ll explore, discuss, and take part in activities that make this learning meaningful.
Grade: 6 - 12
Subject: History, Social Studies, Civics, Indigenous Studies
How to Teach About the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with Care
When teaching Indigenous history, it’s essential to create a respectful, inclusive, and emotionally safe space—especially if Indigenous students are in your classroom.
- Avoid singling out Indigenous students. Never assume or expect them to speak on behalf of their community or share personal experiences unless they voluntarily choose to.
- Emphasize collective learning. Frame the lesson as an opportunity for all students to learn from Indigenous voices, not about Indigenous Peoples as outsiders.
- Use authentic sources. Incorporate Indigenous-authored materials—videos, quotes, art, and stories—to center Indigenous voices without placing that burden on students.
- Offer opt-out options. Some topics (e.g., residential schools or reconciliation) may be emotionally difficult. Allow students to engage in alternative ways if needed.
- Foster empathy and reflection. Set the tone that this lesson is about listening, understanding, and growing together—not judgment or debate.
- Encourage ongoing learning. This isn’t a one-time event. Highlight the importance of continuing to learn from and with Indigenous Peoples throughout the year.
You may also want to consult with Indigenous education advisors, knowledge keepers, or local community members to ensure the lesson reflects the perspectives of the Indigenous Peoples in your region.
Learning Objectives:
- By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Explain the purpose of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
- Engage in respectful discussion and identify ways to personally contribute to reconciliation.
- Summarize the impact of residential schools on Indigenous Peoples, families, and communities.
- Reflect on the importance of truth-telling, acknowledgment, and reconciliation.
Materials:
- Mobile devices (tablets, phones, or laptops) with the Goosechase app installed
- Printed or digital copies of selected excerpts from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
- Access to a short video or testimony from a residential school survivor.
- Chart paper or whiteboard and markers.
- Journals or notebooks for reflection.
Preparation:
- Create an Experience on the Goosechase app with a series of Missions focused on Indigenous Peoples and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
- Develop Missions that require students to demonstrate their understanding of what they have learned. Example Missions:
- Orange Shirt Symbolism – Share a photo of something orange and explain why it symbolizes this day.
- Truth to Remember – Write a short response: What is one truth about residential schools we must never forget?
- Call to Action – Find and summarize one TRC Call to Action that speaks to you.
- Community Connection – Take a picture of a local landmark, building, or library and suggest how it could support reconciliation.
- Personal Commitment – Record a short video stating one personal action you can take to support reconciliation.
- Adapt the difficulty of the Missions based on the proficiency levels of your students to keep the activity inclusive and engaging for everyone.
- Prepare hints or resources that might help students solve the Missions if needed.
- Divide students into teams and assign each team a mobile device with the app, or have students complete the scavenger hunt individually.
- Run your Experience during one class period or longer.
- App Set-Up
- Dedicate time to ensuring all students have the Goosechase app downloaded and joined to the Experience to avoid any tech issues.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Lesson Outline
- Introduction & Context
- Begin by asking: “What do you know about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?”
- Share a short video or testimony from a residential school survivor.
- Provide context on why the day is observed and its connection to Orange Shirt Day.
- Exploration & Discussion
- Break students into small groups, each with excerpts from the Calls to Action.
- Have them discuss:
- What does this call to action ask of us?
- Why is it important?
- How might we, as individuals or schools, take part?
- Groups share their findings with the class
- Reflection Activity
- Students write a short journal entry: “What does reconciliation mean to me, and how can I be part of it?”
- Option: create a classroom “Wall of Commitments” where students anonymously post one action they can take.
- Goosechase Scavenger Hunt
- Read through Missions with students, emphasizing the importance of evidence and analysis in their responses.
- Monitor progress and provide assistance as necessary.
- If working in teams, encourage them to strategize and collaborate to solve the Missions.
- Sit back and enjoy watching your students collaborate and demonstrate their learning.
- Debrief and Reflection
- Review the activity, discussing which Missions were the most challenging or fun.
- Prompt: How can we show support for reconciliation beyond just this day?
- Discuss how teams collaborated and solved problems together.
- Optionally, award prizes to the team(s) with the highest score
Optional Post-Experience Activities:
- Reflective Letter
- Students write a reflective letter to their future self about what reconciliation means and how they hope to contribute over the next year
- Written Summary
- Students research a local Indigenous community, leader, or cultural initiative and create a one-page summary.
- Digital Creation
- Students work in a group to create a digital poster or short video answering: “How can schools and communities walk the path of reconciliation together?”
- Visual Presentation
- Students work individually or in a group to develop a presentation highlighting one of the TRC Calls to Action and practical steps to achieve it.
Assessment
- Observation of group discussions for respectful engagement and comprehension.
- Reviewing journal entries for depth of reflection and connection to key concepts.
- Evaluating homework (letters, posters, presentations) for critical thinking, creativity, and understanding.
- Monitoring Goosechase submissions for accurate and thoughtful participation.
- Peer feedback during group activities.
- Observation of leadership and collaboration skills
Ready-Made Experience
Walking the Path: Truth and Reconciliation
Explore, reflect, and take action as we learn about reconciliation together.
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Keep the Conversation Going 🧡
Walking the Path: Truth and Reconciliation
Explore, reflect, and take action as we learn about reconciliation together.
Looking for more ways to engage students in meaningful discussions about history, culture, and community? Explore our other ready-to-use lesson plans and Goosechase Experiences to inspire reflection, connection, and action in your classroom.
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