09/29/2026
🧡 To mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, students and teachers at York House School gathered throughout September for opportunities to learn and unlearn, reflecting the school’s ongoing commitment to First Peoples Principles of Learning and Indigenous education.
On September 23, Senior School students and faculty immersed themselves in arts, culture, literature, and science through Indigenous perspectives. On campus, students chose to explore workshops including Powwow Dancing, Coast Salish Weaving, Flat Stitch Beading, Creating Oral History through Witnessing, Indigenous Representation in Film and Theatres, Picture Books and Pathways, Braiding Sweetgrass Audiobath, Re-creating Yahgulanaas’ Book as a Mural, Indigenous Film Screenings, as well as Composing a Meaningful Land Acknowledgement. Students also experienced Indigenous perspectives through offsite excursions to the UBC Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, Museum of Anthropology, Stanley Park, VanDusen Garden, and the Bill Reid Art Gallery.
On September 29, our Little and Junior School students observed Orange Shirt Day through classroom activities and an assembly on Truth and Reconciliation.
With humility, we continued to examine Indigenous knowledge and perspectives while dismantling the misconceptions about Indigenous peoples that resulted from colonialism.
A heartfelt thank you to the knowledge keepers, artists, and storytellers who generously shared their time and expertise with the YHS community:
- Nyla Bedard (Tahltan, Kaska, French, Scottish)
- Penny Gullion (Cree)
- Sophia Mallette (Métis)
- Sam Seward (Snuneymexw and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh)
We are grateful to our Pluralism Lead, Ms. Cheung, and all our faculty and staff for leading, coordinating, and facilitating the various Indigenous learning experiences on and off campus. We encourage everyone to continue their learning and unlearning to deepen their personal connection with the Indigenous people, histories, and heritage.
