A Richmond nature school for young children hosted an outdoor walk and fundraiser to raise awareness about the history of residential schools.
Staff, parents and 15 kids gathered at the Terra Nova Nature School, which is operated by Thompson Community Association and the City of Richmond, participated in the “Walk for Wenjack” event on Thursday afternoon.
The school also raised $1,270 to benefit the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund.
Emily Vera, one of the coordinators with the Terra Nova Nature School, said the event honours Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year-old Anishinaabe boy from Ontario who died on his way home after running away from a residential school.
“We felt committed to going beyond Orange Shirt Day, and that it is an ongoing day and not just a one-day event,” said Vera, a coordinator with the Terra Nova Nature School.
“Reconciliation is something that we put in the forefront of our teaching process.”
Vera added that the event is also a way to teach families who may still not understand the history of residential schools.
“Being based on what are Musqueam land and an outdoor school, we often think about our teachings and how interconnected it is with Indigenous ways," she said.
"This is one of the steps we hope we can make toward reconciliation while teaching young kids and their parents about this part of Canadian history."
