The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Orange Shirt Day

Educators and students all over Alberta recognized Orange Shirt Day on Monday, Sept. 30 in remembrance of the experiences of former residential school students.

Residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad of Williams Lake, B.C. began the campaign. When she was six, Webstad had her special orange shirt taken away on her first day at residential school.

Staff at St. John Paul II school in Grande Prairie.

School spirit (bear)

In conjunction with Orange Shirt Day, Ecole St. Mary School in Whitecourt held a naming ceremony for its spirit bear, Windy. Provided by the FN Caring Society of Canada, the bear is part of a program that connects schools with their local Indigenous communities and fosters learning about Indigenous customs, traditions and culture.

Windy, the spirit bear, hosted by Ecole St. Mary School in Whitecourt, is held by Junior Elder Ken Galliot and liaison teachers Natillie Quaife (left) and Pam Fraser.

Various ATA locals around the province held events to recognize World Teachers’ Day on Oct. 5.

Teachers from four locals (Red Deer City, Red Deer Catholic, Wolf Creek and Chinook’s Edge) advocate for public education at the Red Deer Farmer’s Market.

Members of Calgary Public Teachers Local No. 38 continued their World Teachers’ Day tradition of giving away apples at Heritage Park.