Orange Shirt Day

Orange Shirt Day – September 30 2025

I just received my two Orange shirts for Orange Shirt Day on September 30th.  The ones I had were from the same OrangeShirtSociety but five years ago.  Actually, you will see Phyllis (Jack) Webstad wearing that particular T-Shirt on the videos I have included herein below.  This is her story that started Orange Shirt Day to create an awareness of Residential schools.

In 2015, “the Orange Shirt Society was formed to create awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of Indian Residential Schools with the purpose of supporting Indian Residential School Reconciliation and promoting the truth that EVERY CHILD MATTERS.” (c) OrangeShirtSociety

My heart aches every time I hear stories of how children were forcibly taken away from families. I cannot imagine someone ripping my five year old away from me like that and to be schooled in an environment that abuses you for speaking your mother tongue and tries to brainwash them to forget all of their family values and traditions.

This year, there was a contest in elementary schools in Canada and this creative 10 year old  from Alberta created this one.

At the agency where I work, we are given one full day off work called Reflection Day .    It is a time to reflect on what these young children endured in residential schools  and how it impacted on their entire families and communities; it is also a time to  reflect and learn more about Truth & Reconciliation.

I know I am early to post this but when September comes around, I always find myself more reflective on this important time.  I like to explore and reflect on the beginning of our Canadian history.   I wish I had learned more of this in my history classes as a young child…but it’s never too late to learn the truth now and unlearn the lies and biases.

© Cheryl-Lynn – _{^{Residing  on the traditional and unceded territory of the kanien’kehà:ka of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. I recognize and respect the Kanien’kehà:ka as the traditional custodians of these lands and waters.}}

I am sharing a video on where Orange Shirt Day originated along with a video in English and in French sharing where our Canadian history all began…

Story of Orange Shirt Day

French video notre début

English video our beginning