September 30th every year is orange shirt day, the day to raise awareness of the terrible effects of the residential school systems and the resulted intergenerational trauma.
Orange shirt day was first started in 2013 by Phyllis Webstad as a way to honor and remember residential school survivors.
“By participating in Orange Shirt Day each year, we act on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action to redress the colonial legacy of residential schools. More than that, to honour survivors we must all commit to a future grounded in meaningful reconciliation – where healing is supported, rights are respected and Indigenous languages and cultures are able to thrive,” said Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.
Webstad invites everyone to participate in orange shirt day with the words “every child matters” in her awareness campaign.
