MCC Daily Tribune

Honoring Orange Shirt Day

Orange Shirt Day is observed on September 30th annually to honor the Indigenous children who were forcibly removed from their homes to attend Canadian residential schools, where they often suffered neglect, abuse, and cultural assimilation. The day was inspired by the story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, a survivor of the residential school system. At the age of six, Phyllis was excited to wear a new orange shirt gifted by her grandmother, but when she arrived at the residential school, it was taken away. The orange shirt symbolizes the stripping away of Indigenous culture and identity experienced by residential school students.

The movement grew out of a commemoration event in 2013 in Williams Lake, British Columbia, and has since become a day for reflection, education, and acknowledgment of the historical injustices Indigenous peoples face. Orange Shirt Day also aligns with Canada's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, established in 2021, which aims to promote public understanding of these schools' lasting impacts and honor survivors and their families.

Resources for Additional Learning:

Calvin Gantt
Diversity, Equity, and Belonging
09/30/2024