Truth, Healing and Reconciliation

At Saplings, we are committed to Truth, Healing, and Reconciliation through meaningful actions that honour Indigenous histories, cultures, and ways of knowing. We integrate Indigenous stories, songs, and teachings into our daily programming and collaborate regularly with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to guide our practice. Our educators follow the Calls to Action set out by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission by promoting inclusive, land-based learning, recognizing the impact of residential schools, supporting Indigenous languages and perspectives, and fostering environments where Indigenous families feel welcomed, respected, and represented.

Our Commitment to the Calls to Action

Education for Reconciliation

Call to Action 63 & 83

Saplings integrates Indigenous stories, songs, and art into our curriculum, ensuring children learn about the diversity, richness, and resilience of Indigenous cultures.
Our programs follow the First Peoples Principles of Learning, embedding land-based and experiential learning that reflects Indigenous worldviews.
We actively collaborate with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and educators to guide our curriculum and ensure authenticity in our teachings.
Staff participate in ongoing professional development on Indigenous history, cultural competency, and the legacy of residential schools.
Indigenous languages are recognized and incorporated into our programs through books, signage, greetings, and learning materials.
We acknowledge and respect the traditional lands on which we operate, beginning all gatherings and learning sessions with a land acknowledgment.

Creating Inclusive Learning Spaces for Indigenous Families

Call to Action 8

Saplings is committed to making our programs welcoming and culturally safe for Indigenous families by respecting and incorporating their traditions and values into daily routines.
Our learning environments feature Indigenous art, language, and cultural symbols, ensuring that Indigenous identities are reflected and celebrated.
We collaborate with Indigenous families to ensure culturally responsive care and learning experiences that respect their traditions and ways of knowing.

Educating About the Legacy of Residential Schools

Call to Action 59

While maintaining age-appropriate content, Saplings introduces concepts of reconciliation, kindness, and respect to young learners through discussions and storytelling.
We provide staff with resources and training on the history and legacy of residential schools, ensuring educators can facilitate conversations with sensitivity and understanding.
Families are provided with information and resources to help them engage in discussions about truth and reconciliation at home.

Supporting Healthy Relationships and Community Building

Call to Action 10

Our programs foster cooperative play, teamwork, and shared responsibility, aligning with Indigenous values of community and relational learning.
Educators model and facilitate respectful discussions, emotional awareness, and problem-solving, helping children develop the social skills needed for strong, positive relationships.
We integrate restorative justice practices into our child guidance strategies, ensuring that conflict resolution is based on understanding, accountability, and healing rather than punishment.

Inclusion of Indigenous Perspectives in Environmental Education

Call to Action 92

Saplings promotes Honorable Harvest practices, ensuring children learn about Indigenous land stewardship and sustainable resource use.
Children engage in place-based learning that emphasizes respect for the land, traditional ecological knowledge, and Indigenous perspectives on sustainability.
Our environmental initiatives, such as garbage clean-ups and water conservation education, align with Indigenous teachings of reciprocity and interconnectedness with nature.
We work with Indigenous-led organizations to enhance our outdoor education practices with cultural teachings on plant medicine, traditional hunting and fishing methods, and land-based survival skills.

Inclusion of Indigenous Perspectives in Environmental Education

Call to Action 92

Saplings promotes Honorable Harvest practices, ensuring children learn about Indigenous land stewardship and sustainable resource use.
Children engage in place-based learning that emphasizes respect for the land, traditional ecological knowledge, and Indigenous perspectives on sustainability.
Our environmental initiatives, such as garbage clean-ups and water conservation education, align with Indigenous teachings of reciprocity and interconnectedness with nature.
We work with Indigenous-led organizations to enhance our outdoor education practices with cultural teachings on plant medicine, traditional hunting and fishing methods, and land-based survival skills.

Professional Development and Training

Saplings staff participate in ongoing learning opportunities with Indigenous-led organizations, such as the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society (BCACCS), to deepen their understanding of Indigenous perspectives and cultural safety.

Training includes topics such as Indigenous child-rearing practices, trauma-informed care, the impacts of colonization, and anti-racism education.

We support educators in self-reflection and critical thinking about their role in reconciliation and the steps they can take to build authentic relationships with Indigenous families and communities.

Accountability and Continuous Learning

Truth and reconciliation are ongoing processes that require reflection, action, and accountability. Saplings is committed to:

Regularly reviewing and updating our curriculum and policies to ensure Indigenous perspectives remain at the forefront.
Maintaining transparent and respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities, ensuring their voices shape our programs.
Encouraging family and community engagement, welcoming Indigenous and non-Indigenous families to participate in learning opportunities.
Embedding reconciliation into every aspect of our organization, from governance and hiring practices to program development and land-based learning.

By embedding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action into our daily work, Saplings aims to be a leader in equitable, inclusive, and culturally safe early learning environments. We recognize that reconciliation is a shared responsibility and remain committed to fostering understanding, healing, and meaningful change for future generations.