“We call upon the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, in consultation and collaboration with Survivors, Aboriginal peoples, and educators to:

62 i. Make age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal peoples’ historical and contemporary contributions to Canada a mandatory education requirement for Kindergarten to Grade Twelve students”

(TRC, 2015)

One way that I would respond to Call to Action 6 in a Grade 3 classroom is by teaching an age-appropriate unit that introduces students to the history and ongoing impact of residential schools while emphasizing respect, empathy, and cultural resilience. It is important that students learn truthful history in a safe and supportive way so they can better understand Indigenous peoples’ experiences and contributions to Canada.

One resource I would use is the picture book When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson. This story explains residential schools through a conversation between a young girl and her grandmother, focusing on strength, identity, and the survival of culture. The language and perspective make it suitable for younger students while still conveying such an important message.

After reading the book aloud as a class, I would guide students through a discussion about why the grandmother and her friends were “alone” at school and what they did to keep their culture alive. Students would then complete a reflective activity where they create a drawing or short written response about something important in their own family or culture that they would want to protect and share. This activity encourages empathy and helps students connect personally to the idea of identity and belonging.

My role as an educator is to present this topic with care, accuracy, and respect while creating a classroom environment where students feel safe to ask questions. Teaching this content supports reconciliation by ensuring students understand that residential schools affected real people and communities and that Indigenous cultures continue to thrive today. By learning these truths early, students can grow into informed, respectful citizens who value diversity and justice.