Beyond September 30: Practical Ways to Continue Reconciliation in Your Classroom

Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation provide important opportunities for schools to learn, reflect, and honour Survivors and the children who never returned home.

But reconciliation doesn't end on September 30.

For educators, some of the most meaningful work can happen in the ordinary moments throughout the school year: the books we choose, the perspectives we include, the questions we encourage students to ask, and the relationships we build.

And it doesn't require having all the answers.

Here are some practical ways educators can continue the learning throughout the year.

1. Choose Indigenous Voices

When teaching about Indigenous Peoples, look for opportunities for students to learn from Indigenous people, not only about Indigenous people.

Choose books written and illustrated by Indigenous authors and artists. Seek out videos, podcasts, interviews, articles, and educational resources created by Indigenous people and organizations.

This also gives students an opportunity to encounter Indigenous voices beyond historical topics. Indigenous people are authors, scientists, artists, athletes, educators, entrepreneurs, leaders, musicians, filmmakers and much more.

Indigenous perspectives belong throughout the curriculum — not only in lessons about residential schools.

2. Make Indigenous Learning Part of the Everyday

Indigenous education doesn't always need to be a special lesson.

Consider where Indigenous perspectives naturally connect with what you're already teaching.

A science lesson might include Indigenous understandings of the land and environment. Literature can include Indigenous authors. Social studies can examine both historical and contemporary Indigenous experiences. Art and music provide opportunities to learn about Indigenous artists and creators.

The goal isn't necessarily to add more to an already-full curriculum. Sometimes it's about broadening whose knowledge, experiences, and perspectives are represented within it.

3. Get Curious — and Let Your Students Be Curious Too

You don't have to know everything before beginning.

If a student asks a question you don't know the answer to, “I don't know — let's find out” can be a powerful response.

Model what responsible learning looks like. Ask questions. Look for reliable sources. Seek Indigenous perspectives. Revisit things you previously understood differently.

Reconciliation requires learning — and sometimes unlearning.

4. Learn About the Indigenous Peoples Where You Live

Indigenous Peoples are not one culture, language, or experience.

Learn about the Nations, communities, Treaties and Indigenous histories connected to the land where your school is located.

Who are the Indigenous Peoples of this area? What languages are spoken? What Treaty territory are you in? Is the land part of a Métis homeland? What Indigenous communities are nearby?

Knowing where you are is an important part of understanding the relationships and responsibilities that exist there.

5. Build Relationships, Not Just Lessons

Meaningful Indigenous education is rooted in relationships.

Where appropriate, look for opportunities to build genuine relationships with local Indigenous communities, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, families and organizations.

That doesn't mean calling an Indigenous person every time your class needs an “Indigenous perspective.” Relationships take time, reciprocity and respect.

Start by listening and learning about the community around you.

6. Bring Indigenous Peoples Into the Present

One of the easiest traps in Indigenous education is unintentionally presenting Indigenous Peoples primarily in the past.

Residential schools, Treaties and colonization are essential learning. But Indigenous history did not stop there.

Make room for contemporary Indigenous stories, accomplishments, challenges, cultures and communities too.

Ask yourself:

If a student only learned about Indigenous Peoples through my classroom, would they understand that Indigenous cultures are living, diverse and continually evolving?

7. Examine the Resources You Already Use

You don't necessarily need to throw out your entire classroom library.

Instead, start looking at it with new questions.

Who wrote this resource? Whose perspective does it represent? Are Indigenous people speaking for themselves, or is someone else speaking for them? Does it portray Indigenous Peoples only historically? Does it generalize many distinct Nations into one culture? Are stereotypes present?

This isn't about being afraid of choosing the “wrong” book. It's about becoming a more thoughtful consumer of educational resources.

8. Move From Learning to Action

Students often want to know:

“Okay, but what can I actually do?”

Give them somewhere to take their learning.

That action doesn't need to be enormous.

It might mean reading an Indigenous author. Learning the correct pronunciation of a Nation's name. Challenging a stereotype when they hear one. Learning more about the land they live on. Attending a public Indigenous cultural or community event when invited. Continuing a conversation at home. Listening to Indigenous voices on an issue rather than assuming they already understand it.

Small actions don't complete reconciliation — but they can help build habits of learning, respect and relationship.

9. Remember That You Don't Have to Be an Expert

Sometimes fear of doing something incorrectly prevents educators from doing anything at all.

Thoughtfulness matters. Preparation matters. Knowing when to seek guidance matters.

But meaningful Indigenous education isn't about performing expertise.

It's about being willing to listen, learn, reflect, ask questions, build relationships and continue growing.

Keep the Conversation Going

September 30 provides an important opportunity to pause and reflect.

October 1 gives us an opportunity to decide what happens next.

Reconciliation isn't a lesson we finish. It's a relationship we continue building.

At Connected Pathways, we support educators, schools and organizations as they move from awareness toward meaningful action. Whether you're looking for student learning opportunities, staff professional development, leadership support, or guidance in strengthening Indigenous education throughout your school, we'd be happy to walk alongside you.

Walking together for a better future.