Orange Shirt Awareness

Orange Shirt Day originated from the story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad who shared that on her first day at residential school, her new orange shirt that had been a gift from her grandmother, was taken from her. The date of September 30 was selected as this was traditionally the start of the school year when children were taken from their families and communities.

The Canadian residential school system started in the late 1800; with the aim of separating Indigenous children from their families and communities to assimilate them.

Orange Shirt Day aims to honor Indigenous children who were forced to attend residential schools rife with abuse. It aims to commemorate the more than 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Metis children who were forced to attend institutions of inescapable assimilation between the late 1800's to 1990's.

Let us not forget the children who were not allowed to come back home. We must always remember them and search for them to bring them home with respect and honor.