Every year September 30th is Orange Shirt Day — a day to honour the Indigenous children who survived residential schools and remember those who didn’t. Orange Shirt Day began in Williams Lake, B.C. in 2013 where, at a commemoration event at a local residential school, those gathered learned about a young female student named Phyllis who had her brand-new orange shirt taken away on her first day at the residential school. The orange shirt has become a symbol of the many losses experienced by thousands of students and families due to residential schools. Since it began in 2013, the phrase “Every Child Matters” has been used as part of the movement to recognize the value of every child and for communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for future generations. Learn more at www.orangeshirtday.org.
SRPSD is recognizing Orange Shirt day in many ways on Monday, September 30. Many schools are engaged in a wide variety of activities with students and staff. Many of the Education Centre staff participated at schools as well and those not at schools. SRPSD encourages you wear an orange shirt on this day and learn more about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action. The Calls to Action are here for you to review and plan your contribution: http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Findings/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf. Wearing an orange shirt, and knowing its significance, is a small step we each can take as we journey towards truth and reconciliation together.