A Chatham-Kent non-profit organization has handed out around 180,000 pins aimed at helping educate people on the importance of Truth and Reconciliation.
ComeTogetherCK has been making them since 2021, since a discovery in Kamloops, BC, where ground penetrating radar showed anomalies that Sarah Beaulieu, an anthropologist at the University of the Fraser Valley, said were likely about 200 unmarked graves, but that "only forensic investigation with excavation" could confirm the presence of human remains.
The pins symbolizes the story behind orange shirts, Indigenous peoples, and the violence against women and children.
Hundreds of students across CK made their own over the past week.
Lana Parenteau, who runs ComeTogetherCK's Indigenous program, explained they take the time to speak with the students so they know the importance behind the pins.
"One boy made a bunch but another boy said 'it's not about how many you made, it's about the heart.' So I know they were listening," she said.
In Parenteau's opinion, the pins are a creative way to get people interested in wanting to learn more about residential schools. That thought was echoed by Brent Wilken, ComeTogetherCK's executive director.
"The kids made a bunch to spread (and) they all had ideas on who to bring them to. It felt like the conversation was going to continue," he added.
Wilken has also taken the time over the past few years to educate himself. His story is similar to many others as he knew very little before the discovery in Kamloops.
"I kind of knew about residential schools but I didn't know much. (Now) I feel much more connected to the (Indigenous) community," said Wilken.
Wilken's journey is exactly what Parenteau says is the group's goal.
"We want to make sure people don't feel shame or guilt for not knowing or shame and guilt of what their ancestors may have done, it's not about that. It's about living today and changing together," she added.
Meanwhile, Parenteau noted ComeTogetherCK will continue to make the pins all year round.
The group also wants to send out the message that learning isn't reserved to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation but that it should happen every day.