Orange Shirt Day

ORANGE SHIRT DAY

NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

Orange Shirt Day is the vision of Esketemc (Alkali Lake) Chief Fred Robbins, who is a former student the St. Joseph Mission Residential School in Williams Lake, BC. This school operated from 1891 till 1981. Many student deaths were recorded throughout the school's history. Multiple inquiries looking into conditions at the school took place. When the school was closed, several members of the school's staff were sentenced to jail time for sexual abuse. In May of 2013, former students, including Chief Robbins gathered for a reunion and commemoration project and the idea of Orange Shirt Day came to be.

Orange shirts commemorate the story of Phyllis Webstad, a residential school survivor who was stripped of her new orange shirt when she attended residential school as a six-year-old child. In Phyllis’ words, “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.

Orange Shirt Day is a day to proclaim Every Child Matters and show our support and to reaffirm survivors and the families of the victims and show them they matter. It's a time to learn more about residential schools and talk about the effects they continue to have and be part of working and action for meaningful reconciliation. For this to happen, you and I have to go beyond just one day. It's wonderful to wear an Orange Shirt on Orange Shirt Day, but the work and commitment needed to make meaningful reconciliation and continue healing for those affected by residential schools has to happen everyday.

Learn More about Orange Shirt Day and the Orange Shirt Society HERE

Purchase Your Orange Shirt From The Healing Of The 7 Generations at 300 Frederick St Kitchener or Online HERE

National Day For Truth And Reconciliation From The Government Of Canada HERE

150 Acts of Reconciliation HERE

Phyllis Webstad with Sheena Meerling Creator Of The Every Child Matters Crosswalk and Mayor Berry Vrbanovic

A Conversation About Truth And Reconciliation

In 2023, John Neufeld, the Executive Director of House Of Friendship and Clarence Cachagee the Visionary behind Crow Shield Lodge sat down to have a conversation about Truth & Reconciliation, friendship and leadership.

There are 2 versions you can watch.

One is a shortened 16 minute conversation that you can watch HERE

The other is the 60 minute conversation that you can watch HERE

ORANGE SHIRT DAY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

University of Waterloo Truth and Reconciliation Day Ceremony - Friday September 29 - BC Matthews Hall Green 20908 Ring Road - Details HERE

Healing Of The Seven Generations Every Child Matters Walk - Saturday September 30 - 10am
From 300 Frederick St to Victoria Park Clock Tower with afterwards meeting at THEMUSEUM
Details HERE

Honouring the Children Sacred Fire - Saturday, September 30 - 9a to 1p. - Waterloo Region Museum
10 Huron Rd. Kitchener - Details HERE

Anishnabeg Outreach - Edible Forest Planting At The Spirit Garden /BBQ / Message By CEO Stephen Jackson 10am - 1pm - 1130 Spitzig Road - Details HERE

Land Back Camp Panel - Saturday September 30 - 1pm - KW Art Gallery - Details HERE

True North Aid - Self Guided Reconciliation Walk - 10a - 4pm - Laurel Creek Nature Centre
525 Beaver Creek Rd. Waterloo - Free - Register HERE

Kitchener Public Library - First Nation Public Library Week Events:

Elder's Panel - Remembering Community Lifestyles: Partnerships and Alliances - Monday, October 2 at 10am Details HERE

First Nation Communities READ Authors Panel - Thursday, October 5 at 2pm Details HERE

Author Panel - Christine Miskonoodinkwe Smith - Friday, October 6 at 10am Details HERE

Indigenous Sharing Circle with Kelly Welch on Saturday, November 18, at 1 p.m. Details HERE