Orange Shirt Day
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Where is Orange Shirt Day observed?
On September 30, Canada has a statutory holiday for the observance of Orange Shirt Day, also acknowledged as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, as a tribute towards the missing and assassinated children of residential schools.
Who is Orange Shirt Day observed by?
Orange Shirt Day is a national Canadian government initiative. To evoke a spirit of truth and reconciliation, residential school survivors, their families, and communities of indigenous and non-indigenous people stand uniformly in orange shirts.
When did Orange Shirt Day first start?
Orange Shirt Day was started at Williams Lake in 2013 and then spread like a forest fire in schools across Canada.
Who started Orange Shirt Day?
September 30 is Orange Shirt Day to highlight the damage and trauma caused by the residential school system.
This day was started by Phyllis Jack Webstad, a First Nations elder in Williams Lake, B.C. Orange shirts are a symbol of the incident she faced on the very first day of residential school in 1973 when she was as young as six years old.
A shirt was snatched away from her. As a result, the color orange has reminded her of the trauma she fought against.
History And Timeline
Explore the history related to these orange shirts right here.
Outset Of Blue Quills
After a 17-day protest, Blue Quills was the first indigenous school in Canada.
1970Public Amends
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued an apology letter to residential school survivors.
2008Start of Orange Shirt Day
In 2013, this day began and was later recognised by the government.
2013Anonymous Graves
In old residential schools, hundreds of graves were discovered which were unnamed.
2021Traditions And Customs
This day acknowledges the fact that residential schools are a part of a traumatic history. Wearing orange shirts is a national movement to highlight the suffering and memories of those who went to residential schools. Moreover, this day aims to salute them and show a devoted commitment to making sure that 'Every Child Matters'.
Orange Shirt Day has been broadly observed since 2013 to promote information regarding the residential school system and its adverse impact on indigenous communities for over a century.
On this day, we get familiar with the policies and actions of the Government of Canada and how churches regulated schools. We hear stories of survivors and their families.
Ways To Observe Orange Shirt Day
Slide into your orange shirt to stand in solidarity with survivors and against a whole variety of racism. If you run a school, enlighten students about the meaning behind the day, show them that every child matters, and educate them on truth and reconciliation. If you own an organization, use this day for encouraging members to wear orange shirts.
Learning about mistakes saves us from committing them again. Research this day as much as possible to study the bygone times of Orange Shirt Day and empathize with indigenous children.
Allow the motive behind the day to sink in and make you a kinder version of yourself for those around you, keeping aside race or religion. Ride out its principles, not just on the Orange Shirt Day but each moment of the year and remember that every child matters.
Facts And Stats
- Orange Shirt Day originated at Williams Lake in 2013 to pay respect to all Residential School Survivors. The orange shirts epitomize solidarity.
- In the 19th century, Indian residential schools were established, and were once named American Indian boarding schools. We learn about this through Orange Shirt Day.
- Apart from Orange Shirt Day, September 30 is also observed as International Translation Day.
Is Orange Shirt Day in the US?
Yes, this day is primarily observed by Canadian society in Canada and the US to salute each child who faced turmoil.
What month is Orange Shirt Day?
September is the month designated for observing this day.
Why is it an orange shirt?
The orange shirt represents a symbolic memory that its founder went through in an Indian residential school.
What does Orange Shirt day represent?
This day is a sneak peek of the bygone time that Indigenous students survived in residential schools in Canada.
What is the purpose of Orange Shirt Day?
The purpose is to spread awareness among people and students regarding the brutality which the indigenous community faced.
When Is This Day Celebrated
- Wednesday, September 30, 2020
- Thursday, September 30, 2021
- Friday, September 30, 2022
- Saturday, September 30, 2023
- Monday, September 30, 2024
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