ORANGE SHIRT DAY - September 30th
This day honours those who were taken from their homes and placed in residential schools around Canada. These schools forced Metis, Inuit, and First Nations children to disconnect from their culture and assimilate into Canadian society. It is important for the reconciliation process for the individuals and families that were affected by the residential schools.
Why...
September 30th? This was the time of year children were taken from their homes to the residential schools.
Orange? Phyllis Webstad, a former student and creator of orange shirt day, left for her first day at the residential school in her new orange shirt given to her by her grandmother. When she arrived, they took her brand new shirt away from her.
See below for what you can do:
[Image ID: Orange text on a white background reading:
"Orange Shirt Day
September 30th
What can you do?
- Read books by Indigenous authors
- Review the 94 Truth and Reconciliation calls to action and commit to at least one.
- Watch online events hosted by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- Identify and connect with your local Indigenous serving organizations
- Read Phyllis Webstad's book "The Orange Shirt Story"
accompanying each listed is a corresponding image of an orange minimal bookshelf, an orange list, and orange computer mouse pointer, a minimal circle of people, and a single book outlined in orange. /End ID]