September 30th is Orange Shirt Day
- Wear an orange shirt or something orange (if you’re buying a shirt, make sure the proceeds support Indigenous groups)
- Take time to learn more about Canada’s Indian Residential Schools (there are books and resources below)
- Talk to children about residential schools.
What do you say to an orange shirt day kids?
Try these ideas:
- Read the powerful story of the original orange shirt, taken from Phyllis (Jack) Webstad on her first day at residential school.
- Explore the history of residential schools with trusted resources.
- Listen to the stories of residential school survivors, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers.
Why do we honour Orange Shirt Day?
Orange Shirt Day was created as an opportunity to discuss the effects of residential schools and their legacy. It honours the experiences of Indigenous Peoples, celebrates resilience and affirms a commitment that every child matters. Carolyn Ali is a writer for UBC’s Brand and Marketing.
What is a good motto for Orange Shirt Day?
“Every Child Matters” is the Orange Shirt Day slogan, meaning that all children are important – including the ones left behind and the adult survivors who are still healing from the trauma of Indian Residential Schools.
How do you honour residential school survivors?
Wear orange
The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. On September 30, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.
What is the significance of the orange shirt?
The orange shirts are a symbol of solidarity. Wearing orange recognizes the many losses experienced by students, their families and communities, over several generations, including loss of family and culture, language, freedom, parenting, self‐esteem and worth, and painful experiences of abuse and neglect.
What do you wear on National Indigenous peoples day?
This date is an opportunity to educate people and promote awareness about the Indian Residential School system and the impact this system had on Indigenous communities for more than a century in Canada, and which still does today. Canadians are encouraged to wear an orange shirt on this day.
What does orange represent in Indigenous culture?
The orange shirt now symbolizes how the residential school system took away the indigenous identities of its students. However, the association of the colour with the First Nations goes back to antiquity, the colour represents sunshine, truth-telling, health, regeneration, strength and power.
When can I wear my orange shirt?
September 30th
September 30th marks Orange Shirt Day – a day when we honour the Indigenous children who were sent away to residential schools, as well as their families and communities, and learn more about the history of residential schools in Canada.
Why do we say Every Child Matters?
It is an expression of the belief that all children are important, including the ones left behind at residential schools and adults who are still healing from the trauma they endured there.
Why are Every Child Matters shirts orange?
Our Every Child Matters Orange Shirt Day products are designed by Indigenous artists and honour the cultures of Canadian Indigenous communities. By wearing an orange shirt we spread cultural & historial awareness continuing a much needed conversation around reconciliation in Canada.
What is Every Child Matters called now?
Safeguarding children and child protection guidance and legislation applies to all children up to the age of 18.
Is Sept. 30 a stat holiday for everyone?
That’s because only two provinces and two territories have followed the federal government’s lead of 2021 and declared Sept. 30 – also known as Orange Shirt Day – a statutory holiday with pay in 2022. They are Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
How can you support Indigenous people?
Nine ways to support the rights of indigenous people
- Focus on the priorities.
- Include indigenous people in discussions of land use.
- Apply the law to ensure land rights are protected.
- Build public awareness.
- Recognise their role in conservation.
- Bridge the gap between policy and practice.
How can you support Indigenous reconciliation?
Here are some ways you can support reconciliation: research First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in your area to understand their history and contributions to society. watch movies by Indigenous filmmakers or read Indigenous literature. learn more about Indigenous arts and artists.
Is Orange Shirt Day political?
The orange shirt is thus used as a symbol of the forced assimilation of Indigenous children that the residential school system enforced. The day was elevated to a statutory holiday by the Parliament of Canada in 2021, in light of the revelations of over 1,000 unmarked graves near former residential school sites.
Why is Truth and Reconciliation day important?
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a federal statutory holiday which gives the public a chance to recognize and reflect on the intergenerational harm that residential schools have caused to Indigenous families and communities, and to honour those who have been affected by this injustice.
How do you talk to your kids about reconciliation day?
Encourage your child to talk about his or her day. Have them share with you the good things that happened and the not so good things that happened. Helping them discover why things happen will help them form their conscience. Take advantage of opportunities to discuss with your child how to reconcile when it is needed.
How do you teach reconciliation to a child?
- 5 Ways to Prepare.
- Talk about the Sacrament of Reconciliation Together. Teach your child how to pray an Examination of Conscience each night before bed, or as often as time allows.
- Examination of Conscience. Practice, practice, practice!
- Practice.
- Go to Confession as a Family.
- Pray Together.
What should reconciliation look like?
Reconciliation has elements of truth, justice, forgiveness, healing, reparation, and love. Supporting reconciliation means working to overcome the division (often called “the gap”) and inequality between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
How can you show respect to the Indigenous people?
How can I show my respect?
- Learn about Aboriginal culture, for example by reading texts written by Aboriginal authors.
- Resist the urge to propose solutions for Aboriginal issues, but rather listen deeply.
- Ask questions during workshops or cultural events you visit.
- Avoid stereotypes.
- Consult, consult, consult.