CTVNews.ca Staff
On Sept. 30 each year, thousands of people gather across Canada to remember the victims and survivors of residential schools as part of Orange Shirt Day.
The annual event is a chance to have “meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind,” according to the Orange Shirt Society’s official website.
The event was inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, who wore a bright orange shirt on her first day attending a B.C. residential school in 1973, but had the shirt stripped from her, never to be seen again.
“The colour 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,” Webstad wrote on the Orange Shirt Day website. “All of us little children were crying and no one cared.”
Orange Shirt Day is marked at a time of year when children were taken from their homes and sent to these schools. It is also a chance to focus on anti-racism and anti-bullying efforts as the school year kicks off, the organization says.
Orange Shirt Day could soon become a statutory holiday. The federal government has proposed Bill C-369, which would add another such holiday to the calendar and use it to remember those who suffered in residential schools.
Sept. 30 and National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 are the two days rumoured for consideration.
In order for the new stat holiday to be recognized across the country, each province and territory would have to change its laws.
In anticipation of #OrangeShirtDay this weekend, many people across the country are participating today. Take time to learn about Chanie Wenjack, an Anishinaabe boy who ran away from Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School, but never made it home. Watch his #HeritageMinute. pic.twitter.com/acCgWeypfl — Historica Canada (@HistoricaCanada) September 28, 2018
AFN staff gather on Parliament Hill today to help raise awareness that #EveryChildMatters. Make an act of reconciliation today. Join an orange shirt day event near you https://t.co/LbKoofSHrO #OrangeShirtDay pic.twitter.com/Mfvalj2b0S — AFN (@AFN_Updates) September 28, 2018
Glad to join with our entire National Liberal Caucus to mark Orange Shirt Day - remembering the children who endured Indian residential schools. #EveryChildMatters pic.twitter.com/r45YN0NxEZ — Ralph Goodale (@RalphGoodale) September 30, 2018
On #OrangeShirtDay we recognize the harmful legacy of the residential school system and honour the generations of Indigenous people who carry these scars.
Thank you to Eddy Charlie, Phyllis Webstad and many others for bravely sharing your stories. #EveryChildMatters pic.twitter.com/1bcRM1ajUd — John Horgan (@jjhorgan) September 30, 2018
On Sunday, September 30th we encourage everyone to wear orange as a symbolic gesture to acknowledge the legacy of residential schools and give hope for generations of children to come. #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters pic.twitter.com/s1kzCH7FME — Minister Jane Philpott (@Min_IndServ) September 28, 2018
Orange Shirt Day is about the todays and tomorrows of our children and grandchildren, reflecting on the harm of residential schools and doing everything in our power to ensure we move forward in a good way. #everychildmatters #reconciliation pic.twitter.com/tM5oNDwMMO — Perry Bellegarde (@perrybellegarde) September 30, 2018
Found Poetry presentation at Glad Park Public School, Stouffville. Mme Flear’s Gr 8 class used the poem by Rita Joe, called “I Lost My Talk” to create Found Poetry, presented for #OrangeShirtDay - remembering the survivors of residential schools, and those who never made it home. pic.twitter.com/XfVcuKZeNT — Jane Philpott (@janephilpott) September 30, 2018
Today is #OrangeShirtDay, a day where we recognize the survivors of residential schools, and invite communities to join together in the spirit of #reconciliation and hope. #EveryChildMatters#IndigenousRights pic.twitter.com/svIwCyFSE1 — Human Rights Canada (@CdnHumanRights) September 30, 2018
A Calgary girl designed the logo for orange shirts worn across Alberta on Sunday to honour residential school survivors.
Eleven-year-old Sophie St. Cyr created the design last year and her contest entry beat those from about 665 other students from across the province.
The annual contest, put on by Safe and Caring Schools & Communities, invites Alberta students to celebrate Orange Shirt Day, honouring residential school survivors and promoting reconciliation.
When Sophie researched traditional First Nations art, she found that feathers were prominently featured.
“The large feather is meant to symbolize the children who survived and got to grow up and the three smaller [feathers] are meant to symbolize the children who didn’t survive residential schools,” she said.
“I felt sad that that happened since I always have an open mind no matter where the people are from or their traditions, so I just felt really sad.”
Leslie Ronaldson, executive director of Safe and Caring Schools & Communities, wants to ensure people understand the story of residential schools so we can move towards reconciliation.
“I never learned anything about residential schools when I was going to school and I just think it’s important for us to understand what Canada is comprised of and what our history truly is in this country,” she said.
Children’s engagement comes out in the artwork, according to Ronaldson.
“I get goosebumps, I get tears,” she added. “I’m extremely proud of the work that Sophie has done. She obviously understands the whole concept of residential schools and what truly occurred.”
Hal Eagletail is a residential school survivor and member of the Northern Dene Tsuu T’ina Nation.
“Any level, any age, it’s important to talk about the history of the reconciliation, the trauma, the dark history of Canadian evolution,” he said.
“Once we know what the truth is, then we can start with the reconciliation process,” Eagletail added. “Trying to skip the truth and jumping into reconciliation, you miss the whole point of why we’re reconciling in the first place. And with the truth of the dark histories, then we can heal.”
The day is about acknowledging hardships, broken promises and the theft of Indigenous children’s futures and fighting to keep Indigenous identity, history, language and culture intact.
“I’m glad Orange Shirt Day is here,” he said.
Orange Shirt Day takes place across the country and aims to recognize the harm that Canada’s residential school system had on generations of Indigenous families and communities.
In 2013, Orange Shirt Day started when an Indigenous woman shared her story of having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day at a residential school, according to an Alberta government news release.
Calgary’s event will be held on Monday at city hall, with hundreds of school-aged children marching around Olympic Plaza.
Edmonton held an event on Friday at city hall.
The Islington United Church held two services on Sunday to commemorate Orange Shirt Day. It was the first time the church was observing the day which was inspired by the experience of a student whose orange shirt was taken from her at a residential school in 1973.
The church's communications officer Carole Bennett said they have been sharing the story of Orange Shirt Day`s founder for weeks.
"We thought that this was a great time that would draw attention to the message of Orange Shirt Day — and encourage dialogue between Indigenous and non-indigenous people."
Members of the choir of the Islington United Church during Sunday's service commemorating Orange Shirt Day. (Thom Varey)
Phyllis Webstad started Orange Shirt Day in 2013 as a day of reflection on the scars of that era.
September 30 was chosen as it was typically the time when children were taken from their homes to residential schools.
However, it is also remembered in schools to encourage anti-racism and anti-bullying sentiments.
When Webstad was six-years old, she was gifted a bright orange shirt by her grandmother.
In 1973, she wore it to her first day at the residential school — St. Joseph Mission School in Williams Lake, B.C. As soon as she arrived, it was taken from her by school administers and never given back.
Orange Shirt Day was inspired by the story told by Phyllis Jack Webstad about how she was stripped of her new orange shirt on her first day at residential school in 1973. (OrangeShirtDay.org)
For the IUC, reconciliation began long before Orange Shirt Day.
This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the denomination's apology to all those who have been affected by residential schools.
The denomination has also sent petitions to the federal government, calling for justice reform following the verdict in the Colten Boushie case; as well as to the Ontario government, fighting the cancellation of curriculum re-writes that would have involved Indigenous elders and educators.
For Bennett, the tragedy of the residential schools shakes her to her core as a mother.
"You can begin to imagine the hurt that Phyllis felt. You can imagine the hurt and the humiliation because you can empathize with another person."
To mark the day, Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald released a statement urging people to "remember Phyllis's story, along with the stories of all Residential School Survivors in Canada and keep them within our hearts."
Today is my grandmother Lena's 100th Birthday! Yes, the same one that bought me that shirt in 1973. Granny eats well so as long as she is eating she will be here with us. She no longer knows us but knows that we are her people. We will be celebrating her birthday on Sunday, October 7th in Williams Lake, BC. I have been on a month long road trip in the BC area and I get to go home today from Kamloops, BC. My mother is coming with with me to be with her mother on this special day. Think of granny Lena today at your Orange Shirt Day events. Even though I cannot personally attend all events, know that you are keeping the conversation alive on all aspects of Residential School and that is the intent of Orange Shirt Day, so Kukstemcw, thank you! Much love and hugs to all. <3 Phyllis W.
