What's in a Name? Prairie Sunrise Featured in Superintendents' Journal

Prairie Sunrise has been featured in the Spring 2022 issue of the Manitoba Association of School Superintendents (MASS) Journal.

Written by Vice-Principal Shannon Shields with Pembina Trails Principal of Curriculum Julie Cordova and Superintendent of Curriculum and Learning Services Lisa Boles, the article highlights the important work of students, staff, and the community of Prairie Sunrise during the divisional yearlong “What’s in a Name?” project. 

“The renaming of Ryerson School was in response to a student-led initiative.” says the article. Egerton Ryerson played a pivotal role in the creation of Residential Schools.  With this knowledge, Ryerson students in grades 5/6, heartbroken by the news of 215 Indigenous children discovered at the Residential School in Kamloops, wrote letters to the Pembina Trails Board of Trustees which prompted discussions around the school's name change. 

Throughout the year, students at Prairie Sunrise have been engaged in thoughtful discussions and reflective activities surrounding identity, names, and Indigenous knowledge and history. “The commitment from Ryerson School was to create opportunities for the children to learn about, act, and have a voice in telling their story,” says the article. 

The school's memorable Trail for Truth Walkathon was highlighted. As the article states, the walkathon went “through the community in an effort to create space for the children to be seen and heard.” All year long students have continued to wear their orange shirts to school, a beautiful daily reminder of our commitment to reconciliation.  

Prairie Sunrise School is so proud of all the students and teachers who made this important work happen; this article beautifully describes this crucial journey.  

To read the full article click the link provided.