Pink Shirt Day: Dene laws shape pink lessons at Deline school
Published 4: 01 pm Tuesday, February 24, 2026. By Kody Ferron, Local Journalism Initiative. As pink Shirt Day approaches on Feb. 25, students and staff at Ehtseo Ayha School in Deline are emphasizing the Dene law of being respectful to everyone around you.
Pink Shirt Day focus
Pink Shirt Day will be recognized across Canada on Feb. 25, and this year’s theme is 'Sprinkle Kindness. ' In Deline, the emphasis is on respecting everyone around you as encouraged by a Dene law taught at Ehtseo Ayha School.
Dene law monthly teachings
Each month the school examines a different Dene law. The school recognizes a student who exemplifies the values taught by the Dene laws and awards them a feather. These teachings are integral to how mentors operate in the school and within the community, says Jason Dayman, the school’s principal of five years.
WITS and pink responses in school
Dayman praised the school’s approach to anti-bullying programming. Known as WITS, the program teaches students to first walk away; ignore the inappropriate behaviour; talk the situation out with their peers, and, if all else fails, to seek help. The WITS program that we use, I like because it’s an acronym, and a ‘word’ that they can remember, Dayman said.
Teaching skills for conflict
Dayman emphasized the program’s aim of "giving kids the skills to be able to deal with small problems on their own. " He reminded students that they are not alone when confronting bullying: "You know, I don’t use the word bullying lightly. Bullying is repeated behaviour, and that’s where the kids, if they’ve tried using their WITS, they have that opportunity to talk to an adult, " he said.
Feather awards for students
As mentors and teachers, Dayman says the school’s goal is "giving the kids the skills to be able to deal with conflict on their own, teaching them the skills they need to have to be successful in society. " The feather award recognizes students who live those values month to month.
Origin story of shirts
The practice of turning classrooms and schools pink has an origin story many students hear: after witnessing a new student being bullied for wearing a pink shirt, a group of Grade 9 boys in Nova Scotia organized a protest in support. Standing in the school entryway with bags of discounted goods, the group distributed pink shirts to all the boys in the school. That act is often referenced as an example of standing up and showing care.
The WITS program name serves as a reminder for youth to remain calm and to think the situation through carefully when faced with the discomfort of undesirable peer behaviours. At Ehtseo Ayha School in Deline, staff say they are "giving the kids the skills to be able to deal with conflict on their own, teaching them the skills they need to have to be successful in society, " principal Jason Dayman said ahead of Pink Shirt Day.
Unclear in the provided context: details on specific classroom activities planned for Feb. 25 in Deline.
Closing: The school combines the monthly Dene law lessons, feather recognition and the WITS anti-bullying program to prepare students for Pink Shirt Day on Feb. 25 and to reinforce respect and belonging in the community.
