Friday was Orange Shirt Day across Canada, honouring residential school survivors and promoting reconciliation.

The Pine Creek School Division celebrated the theme of Every Child Matters during a professional development day at Gladstone's William Morton Collegiate.

The session was led by the Saskatchewan School Board Association's Executive Director Darren McKee, who was pleased to see all the educators in orange t-shirts.

"We've got a group of folks here who have begun a journey. This is a journey of discovery.  And I really do find people who work in the education system are fundamental believers in justice -- social justice."

The Portage Friendship Centre's Debbie Parker opened the day with a smudging ceremony. She feels the school division's response indicates open doors.

"Open doors for I want to learn about your culture. I want to be able to do this because I teach your children. And your children need to know these things."

Pine Creek School Division Superintendent Brian Gouriluk feels today's support shows the division's taking a lead role in reconciliation.

"Justice Sinclair has always talked about the fact that residential schools is one of the major contributors to the problems that we've had in Canada, but that the school system itself is also the solution. We have to be leaders, and this is a day where we're taking a leadership role in our community."

Municipal and Indigenous Relations Minister Eileen Clarke says having the school division involved is important.

"To see our teachers, our educators, and people within the community engaged and accepting and learning the truth is really huge for our province."