National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2026
Every year on September 30, St. Michael’s College School (SMCS) marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by learning about the histories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities and the Canadian government. This year, the focus of learning was on our school’s land acknowledgement—both in words and as a physical marker of our school’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. Staff and students gathered on the front lawn of the school, by the newly installed Land Acknowledgement Monument and Plaque. “The outdoor assembly on September 30 involved senior students reading aloud the school’s land acknowledgement and piece by piece explaining each part of it—what it means and why we are saying it,” says Jacob Lang, SMCS science and biology teacher. “The assembly also included a teaching about the monument that contains the dodems of the signatory chiefs who signed Treaty 13 back in 1805.” The location of the stone monument and plaque is symbolic, as they’re placed by the school’s original cornerstone on the front lawn facing Bathurst St. “Even though the placement of the monument is symbolic, the land acknowledgement is not symbolic or performative,” says Lang, who is of the Métis Nation of Ontario under Barrie South Simcoe Métis Council. “It is and has to be intentional for it to matter. Reconciliation cannot happen unless the nation of Canada and its peoples truly see and recognize Indigenous Nations as sovereign.” He adds, “It’s important for our students as well as our entire staff and faculty to know why our land acknowledgement matters. This can’t be a box to be checked. It is simply the right thing to do. Students need to be outside to see the stone, the acknowledgement, and to get a sense of place while listening and learning about our school’s land acknowledgement. Visually, the community and public need to see
