Orange Shirt Day & National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”.

The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. The day honours the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. One of our District values is Reconciliation, and the focus of the day is how we move forward as both settler and Indigenous communities in a good way.

Each year staff and students are encouraged to wear orange. This year students and staff will be able to purchase and wear an orange shirt designed by Grade 4 student Finley Hunt of Sorrento Elementary, who was the winner of SD83’s annual Orange Shirt t-shirt design contest! Congratulations Finley! She is seen in the photo below with her Grade 3 teacher, Carmen Dawkins.

Orange shirt day activities will be held in schools the last week of September or first week of October. Please watch for your school newsletter to find out when they will take place at your child(ren)’s school.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was created after the Orange Shirt Day movement. This federal statutory holiday was created through legislative amendments made by Parliament. This announcement addresses one of the 94 calls to action of The Truth and Reconciliation Commission which states:
“We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”

Just a reminder that schools will be closed for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, September 30.