Tansi Nîtôtemtik,
Photo: Team ReconciliAction YEG in their orange shirts from the Aboriginal Students Services Centre at the University of Alberta.
Annually, on September 30th, Canadians from coast to coast to coast are asked to wear an orange shirt to acknowledge the ongoing legacy left by residential schools. This day encourages “communities coming together in a spirit of reconciliation and hope because every child matters.” [1]
Orange Shirt Day is about:
- Commemoration: it is an annual event (since 2013), and a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School (1891-1981) Commemoration Project and Reunion events that took place in Williams Lake, British Columbia, in May 2013. [2]
- Ongoing acknowledgement: its continuation acknowledges the ongoing processes of reconciliation, struggle, and intergenerational trauma that have stemmed from residential schools.
- Conversation: Having the highly-visible Orange Shirt Day allows for awareness and is a conversation starter to promote further understanding about the legacy of residential schools.
- Reconciliation: Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools, and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come. [3]
Why orange shirts?
A woman named Phyllis, originally from Dog Creek in British Columbia, has inspired the orange shirt. To hear her speak about her story, check out this video on YouTube. The orange shirt is closely connected to her experience with the residential school system:
“I went to the Mission for one school year in 1973/1974. I had just turned 6 years old. I lived with my grandmother on the Dog Creek reserve. We never had very much money, but somehow my granny managed to buy me a new outfit to go to the Mission school. I remember going to Robinson’s store and picking out a shiny orange shirt. It had string laced up in front, and was so bright and exciting – just like I felt to be going to school!
When I got to the Mission, they stripped me, and took away my clothes, including the orange shirt! I never wore it again. I didn’t understand why they wouldn’t give it back to me, it was mine! The color orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared.” [4]
Why September 30th?
The date was chosen for a number of reasons: firstly, because it is near the back-to-school time, in which many children were taken from their homes to residential schools. Secondly, the time in September, when a new school year has begun, is the perfect opportunity to start a conversation about anti-bullying and anti-racism practices, in schools, and in society. [5]
Orange Shirt Day is officially tomorrow, Saturday, September 30th! Remember to wear orange to contribute to reconciliation efforts in Canada.
Until next time,
Team ReconciliAction YEG
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[1] “Welcome” (2017), Orange Shirt Day, online: <www.orangeshirtday.org/origin.html>.
[2] “The Origin Story of Orange Shirt Day” (2017), Orange Shirt Day, online: <www.orangeshirtday.org/origin.html>.
[3] Welcome, supra note 1.
[4] “Phyllis’ Story” (2017), Orange Shirt Day, online: <www.orangeshirtday.org/phyllis-story.html>.
[5] Origin Story, supra note 2.
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