Jaimie Kechego holding a photograph of her grandparentsJaimie Kechego will share the story of her grandmother’s experiences at Mt. Elgin Residential School in an online session today.

Stories of survivors to mark Orange Shirt Day

Jaimie Kechego, project co-ordinator for Indigenous curriculum and pedagogy initiatives in the Centre for Teaching and Learning, will discuss the impacts of residential school on her learning spirit — and the resilience of Indigenous peoples to rise above the trauma — in a session sharing her grandmother’s experience attending Mt. Elgin residential school at 2 p.m. today — Thursday, Sept. 29.

Kechego (BA 2006, B.Ed 2015), is Anishnaabwekwe from Deshkaan Ziibing (the Chippewa of the Thames First Nation reserve) located near London, Ontario. Prior to joining the UWindsor staff, she served eight years as the First Nation, Métis, and Inuit secondary school counsellor with the Greater Essex County District School Board.

The event was originally intended to be in person, but has moved online. Register here to attend.

Observances of Orange Shirt Day on Friday, Sept. 30, will include the Every Child Matters Walk, leaving from Art Windsor-Essex, 401 Riverside Dr. West, at 10:30 a.m.

The walk will conclude at the David Wilson Commons for a Drum Social Teach-In from 1 to 3 p.m. The event will honour the spirits of survivors and those who did not come home with the big drum and with speakers who will educate on the truth of residential schools.

Find more information on the UWindsor Orange Shirt Day webpage.

Academic Area: