Orange Shirt Day
National Day For Truth And Reconcilliation
National Day For Truth And Reconcilliation
Orange Shirt Day 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 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.
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 on Online HERE
Donate to the Anishnabeg Outreach Orange Shirt Pin Project HERE
Donate to the Anishnabeg Outreach Orange Shirt Pin Project HERE
Orange Shirt Day Activities
Healing Of The Seven Generations - Every Child Matters Walk:
Kitchener Public Library: Watch and listen to stories from Indigenous authors and artists in the Living Room area of the children's section at the Central Branch at 85 Queen St. North. Details HERE
Dibaajimowin - Stories Of This Land Exhibition at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum at 10 Huron Road: It's a Multimedia Exhibit created by Emma Rain Smith that invites us to recognize how the way we look at things has been shaped. Details HERE
Anishnabeg Outreach Eminidowang Kitigaan Spirit Garden For Everyone - Garden Party: Food and medicine grown in the garden is provided to local Indigenous community members. From 9 till Noon assist in maintaining the garden. Park at Woodland Hills Christian High School at 1058 Spitzig Road. Details HERE
Dibaajimowin - Stories Of This Land Exhibition at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum at 10 Huron Road: It's a Multimedia Exhibit created by Emma Rain Smith that invites us to recognize how the way we look at things has been shaped. Details HERE
Anishnabeg Outreach Eminidowang Kitigaan Spirit Garden For Everyone - Garden Party: Food and medicine grown in the garden is provided to local Indigenous community members. From 9 till Noon assist in maintaining the garden. Park at Woodland Hills Christian High School at 1058 Spitzig Road. Details HERE
Land Back Camp Orange Shirt Day Vigil: Meet in Victoria Park at 7pm for a sacred fire, speakers, drummers and moment of silence. Bring a candle and blanket. Details HERE
Visit These Websites To Learn About And Support The Work Our Local Indigenous Agencies Are Doing
Visit These National Indigenous Organizations
Please note that due to illness Mayor Berry Vrbanovic & Councillor Margaret Johnston had to attend this meeting virtually.
They both wore Orange Shirts and also support orange Shirt Day.
They both wore Orange Shirts and also support orange Shirt Day.