Staff and students in Rainbow schools have been invited to wear orange on Thursday, Sept. 29 to show support for residential school survivors.
Orange Shirt Day recognizes the effects and intergenerational impacts of the residential school system on First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children in Canada.
“This important gesture will bring us together in the spirit of reconciliation,” said director of education Norm Blaseg. “It provides an opportunity for staff to open up or continue the conversation about residential schools with students.
“Participation in Orange Shirt Day demonstrates our collective commitment to building our ongoing understanding. We invite everyone to wear orange and show students that every child matters.”
Orange Shirt Day began in Williams Lake, British Columbia, by the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration project. Phyllis Webstad, a young girl from the Dog Creek reserve, attended the Mission in 1973, where her clothes were removed, including her brand new orange shirt.
Phyllis’ story inspired Orange Shirt Day, which takes place Sept. 30, as this was the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to attend residential schools.
In light of the Professional Activity Day on Sept. 30, students and staff in Rainbow Schools will wear orange on Sept. 29.
To learn more, visit the Orange Shirt Day website.
