September 30, 2022 marks the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
On this day, we honour the lost children and Survivors of residential schools as well as the families and communities who were affected.
The reconciliation process requires a national acknowledgment of the tragic history of residential schools and their ongoing impacts on indigenous people across Canada.
Today is an opportunity for all of us to reflect and learn about the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. It is important we listen to the voices of Indigenous Peoples and become comfortable with learning and unlearning.
The origins of Orange Shirt Day:
Residential School Survivor, Phyllis Webstad was given an orange shirt by her grandmother for her first day of school at St. Joseph’s Mission residential school in British Columbia.
As a new student, they took away her clothes, including her new shirt, which was never returned to her.
The colour orange reminded her of her experiences at residential school, so she used this personal memory to commemorate the residential school experience and honour survivors.
Webstad has explained that the orange shirt symbolizes, “how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared.” Today, the orange shirt reminds us that Every Child Matters.
Resources:
Truth and Reconciliation commission report
Learn more about First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across Canada
National Association of Friendship centres
Attend a local event to commemorate:
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation