The Ministry of Education launched a new one-time grant program to support students learning about truth and reconciliation. To recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day provincial school divisions, historical high schools and qualified independent schools can apply for up to $5,000 to work with local Indigenous communities to implement actions to advance reconciliation throughout the 2021-22 school year.

Education Minister Dustin Duncan says “It is vital we acknowledge the tragic legacy of residential schools and provide Saskatchewan residents with opportunities to learn about our shared history as part of our commitment to building our province.”

The Ministry of Education is providing approximately $100,000 in total for these grants, and all provincial school divisions, qualified independent schools and historical high schools are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is November 5, 2021.

Treaty Commissioner Mary Culbertson noted that Residential schools only closed here in this province in 1996. She says, “We are surrounded by survivors, and intergenerational survivors, of all ages. Their experiences must be honoured and it is our generation today and our next generations that are in our schools that will carry forward the understanding and education about these experiences and these systems that have caused such devastating effects on culture, language, identity and families.”

“Reconciliation is about the truth, repairing relationships and building relationships. Without the truth, there can be no reconciliation. Building relationships is vital to the restoration of Treaty relationships in this province,” stated the Treaty Commissioner.