2026 Delta School District Truth & Reconciliation Walk

Sportswave was once again thrilled to be a part of the Delta School District 2026 Truth and Reconciliation September 29th. 

It was the annual event in which the Delta School District students and staff took part in the 2026 third annual Walk and Ceremony for Truth and Reconciliation. 

Students from South Delta Secondary School (SDSS) participated in a walk that started outside the school, circled the neighbourhood and ended back at the school’s theatre, where they were joined by students from several local elementary schools for a ceremony that was live streamed to all schools across the district. Other schools across the district organized walks in their own neighbourhoods.

The ceremony at SDSS was hosted by Nathan Wilson, Indigenous Cultural Mentor, and featured presentations from sxʷamisaa Chief Laura Cassidy, Tsawwassen First Nation, and Kevin Paul, award winning poet and advocate for Indigenous Languages.

The Ceremony featured a performance by the South Delta Choir and presentations from several students. Coursework by students studying the work of Kevin Paul was displayed in the foyer outside the theatre.

said Carly Desouza, District Principal, Learning Services – Equity and Success mentioned “The Truth and Reconciliation Walk and Ceremony provide an important opportunity for students and staff to come together to honour the children who never returned home, residential school Survivors, and their families and communities,” Continuing on to mention “We are encouraged by the strong participation from students and staff across Delta. By wearing orange shirts and walking together in our communities, we demonstrate our commitment to learning, reflection and reconciliation. As we approach September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, we encourage all Delta residents to take time to recognize the lasting impacts of residential schools and to continue their own journey toward understanding, respect and meaningful reconciliation.”

“The Truth and Reconciliation Walk continues to be a powerful opportunity for students and staff across our district to come together in solidarity, reflection and learning,” said Joe Muego, Chair of the Delta Board of Education. “This event reflects our ongoing commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and our responsibility to foster understanding, respect and healing. Through walking together, we create space for meaningful conversations and deeper awareness while honouring the histories, experiences and voices of Indigenous Peoples. We are grateful to everyone who is helping to advance reconciliation in our schools and communities.”

Ceremony:

• Welcome by Connie Adams, Tsawwassen First Nation and Kaanaax Kuwoox Nathan Wilson, Indigenous Cultural Mentor, Delta School District
• Introduction by student emcees – Claire (Grade 11), Luke (Grade 12), and Ethan (Grade 12)
• Guest speaker – Chief sxʷamisaa Laura Cassidy, Tsawwassen First Nation
• Performance of “The Gift” by the South Delta Choir
• Reading of “Walking Together” by Sidney (Grade 12)
• Guest speaker – Kevin Paul, Award winning poet and advocate for Indigenous Languages
• Reading of poem “Through the Broken Doorway” by Ethan followed by personal reflections from Luke (Grade 12) and Will (Grade 11)
• Explanation of the student-designed logo for this year’s walk by Mrs. Carola Schaub
• Passing of the cedar to representatives from Seaquam Secondary School, host of next year’s event
• Kaanaax Kuwoox Nathan Wilson leads elementary students in drumming to close the ceremony

 Special Guests included:

• Members of the Delta Board of Education, Executive Committee, Tsawwassen First Nation, Delta Teachers’ Association, CUPE 1091, staff and students from local elementary schools