September 30 is recognized as Orange Shirt Day, when we are encouraged to wear orange to honour lost children and survivors of Residential Schools and their experiences while attending. The story of Orange Shirt Day is from the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation. She was dressed in a new orange shirt, feeling proud and excited for her first day of school. Upon arriving, her shirt was taken from her. It was the beginning of a horrible time for Phyllis and other Indigenous children. To Phyllis, the colour orange has always reminded her of her experiences at Residential School and, as she has said, “how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared, and I felt like I was worth nothing.” You can read more about her experience in her book, Phyllis’s Orange Shirt.
Residential Schools harmed Indigenous children by taking them from their families and punishing them for speaking their ancestral languages, forcing them to speak English or French instead. Children were cut off from their families’ culture and traditions and forced to adopt Christianity.
The government and the Pope have since acknowledged that this approach was cruel and have both issued official apologies to all affected by the horrors of Residential Schools.
The federal government has also formally recognized September 30 as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Public acknowledgement of the history and continued impacts of Residential Schools reflects Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 80. There are 94 calls to action in total, developed with survivors and families of children who suffered in Residential Schools. To learn more about the importance of this day and of Truth and Reconciliation, explore the library and collections of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at nctr.ca. More information can also be found at https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html. You can also check out local celebrations planned for September 30 at Calgary.ca.
This day can be difficult for Residential School survivors and their families. Survivors can call 1-866-925-4419 for emotional crisis referral services and other health supports. Indigenous peoples can also go to The Hope for Wellness Help anytime for counselling and/or crisis intervention, by calling at 1-855-242-3310.
