Action Blog Growth Area Two for 2021-2022: Strategic Priority 1: Inspired Learners; Goal 3: Indigenous Peoples’ history, perspectives, and learning approaches are embedded within district planning and practices.

Wings of Commitment:

Burnett’s Ongoing Commitment to Truth, Reconciliation, Equity, and Inclusion
 

This eagle display, created in 2021 and mounted in our rotunda by the Richmond Facilities team speaks to JN Burnett’s commitment to truth, reconciliation, equity, and inclusion.  The eagle feathers represent over 500 voices of students and staff and our commitment to acknowledging Canada’s First Nations, learning about and understanding Indigenous culture, reflecting on our country’s history of systemic racism and its ongoing legacies, honouring our community’s diversity, and promoting respect and kindness.
 

The feather outline was created by Gitxsan artist Michelle Stoney, who currently lives in northwestern British Columbia.  She designed the feather in response to the horrific discovery in May 2021 of unmarked burial sites at Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc residential school.  Stoney states that, in her culture, eagles represent strength, wisdom, and healing; the human face at the base of her feather symbolizes the children who were taken from their families.

Each feather on the eagle display has been thoughtfully coloured by a Burnett student or staff member and states each personal commitment to truth, reconciliation, equity, and inclusion.  As a school community, we understand that the path to reconciliation involves each individual taking on this commitment, which may look different for each person.  Together, the feathers form the majestic wings of the eagle and serve as a visible reminder to our school of our commitments, both individually and collectively.

The display is constant reminder to staff, students, parents and all who visit our school of our commitment to truth, reconciliation, equity and inclusion.