The colour orange is a symbol of the many losses experienced by thousands of Indigenous children, their families and their communities
Orange is the colour of the shirt that Phyllis (Jack) Webstad was wearing on her first day attending a residential school when she was six years old. Her grandmother bought her this shirt that she says “had string laced up in front and was so bright and exciting.”
Phyllis’ first day at residential school was devastating. She was stripped, and all of her clothes were taken away from her, including the orange shirt. It was never returned and always made her think of her experiences at residential school.
“The colour orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing,”she says. “All of us little children were crying, and no one cared.”
The colour orange symbolizes the many losses experienced by thousands of Indigenous children, their families and their communities over several generations.
Orange Shirt Daywas inspired by Phyllis’s story and launched in 2013. September 30th was chosen as the date for Orange Shirt Day because it represents the time of year school starts and when the children were taken away from their families. Its goal is to educate people aboutresidential schoolsin Canada and to honour and remember the experiences and loss of the First Nation, Inuit and Métis children who were stolen from their families and placed in these schools. Many orange shirts bear the message “Every Child Matters” to reaffirm to survivors of residential schools that they matter.
Click on these links to learn more about Orange Shirt Day and The Orange Shirt Society, a non-profit organization with the mission to:
- Support Indian Residential School Reconciliation.
- Create awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of Indian Residential Schools through Orange Shirt Society activities.
- Create awareness of the concept of “Every Child Matters.”
Also read: Q&A With Inuit Author Michael Kusugak. Born in a sod hut near Repulse Bay, Nunavut, storytellerMichaelKusugaklived his early years in the nomadic Inuit tradition. But in 1954, at the tender age of six, he was sent to a residential school in Chesterfield Inlet, 400 km from home, where the children were not allowed to speak in their own language (Inuktitut).
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Posted on Thursday, September 28th, 2023
FAQs
Wearing an orange shirt is a national movement to recognize the experience of those who went to Indian residential schools, to honour them, and show a collective commitment to ensure that Every Child Matters.
Why should you wear orange? ›
The primary reason hunters wear orange is safety. Hunter orange, often referred to as “blaze orange” or “safety orange,” is easily distinguishable in the natural landscape, making hunters highly visible to others.
Why are kids wearing orange to school? ›
The orange shirt is a powerful symbol that stems from the experiences of Phyllis Webstad, a survivor of the St. Joseph Mission Residential School in British Columbia. On her very first day at the school, Phyllis wore a brand-new orange shirt, a gift from her grandmother.
What's the story behind 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.
Why does orange for every child matter? ›
Every time she saw the colour, she was reminded of what she had gone through and that her feelings didn't matter. And that's why, on September 30, Canadians observe Orange Shirt Day to honour Phyllis and other children who suffered at residential schools. The first-ever Orange Dy Shirt Day was observed in 2021.
Why did people wear orange? ›
Hadiya Pendleton was 15 years old when she was shot and killed in Chicago in 2013. Just one week earlier, Hadiya had performed with her high school majorette squad at President Obama's second inaugural parade. In response to her death, Hadiya's friends asked others to wear orange to raise awareness about gun violence.
How to explain Orange Shirt Day to kids? ›
It's a day to honour children that survived residential school, and to remember the lives that were lost. Wearing orange is a symbol of respect and mourning.
Why are people wearing orange today? ›
This year, we once again unite in our call to end gun violence as we come together for Wear Orange. We honor the communities shattered by gun violence alongside the more than 120 people who are shot and killed, and hundreds more who are wounded and traumatized, every day in our country.
What is the meaning behind wearing orange? ›
Orange is often described as an energetic color. It may call to mind feelings of enthusiasm and excitement. Because orange is a high-energy color, many sports teams use orange in their uniforms, mascots, and branding.
What day do we wear orange? ›
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.
Orange Shirt Day began a decade ago as a call by Indigenous people to honour residential school survivors, their families and their communities, as well as all the children who did not come home from the institutions.
Is Orange Shirt Day in the US? ›
(Orange Shirt Day) is September 30. National Day of Remembrance of Indigenous Boarding Schools, or Orange Shirt Day, began as a day to bring attention to the damage the residential school system did to Indigenous children, lifeways, and cultures.
Why should we learn about Orange Shirt Day? ›
During this day Indigenous and non-Indigenous people come together in the spirit of hope and reconciliation to honour residential school survivors, their families, and communities. Take time to learn about the impacts of the policies and actions of the Government of Canada and the churches that operated the schools.
What is the goal for Orange Shirt Day? ›
September 30th is Orange Shirt Day, a day that recognizes the harm Canada's residential school system inflicted on Indigenous children and their families, and the ongoing trauma that remains today. It is a day to remember and honour the life of every child.
What color is every child matters? ›
On September 30th many people across Canada (Turtle Island), wear bright orange t-shirts to honour and raise awareness of the thousands of Indigenous children who were sent to residential schools.
What is the message of Orange Shirt Day? ›
A First Step in Reconciliation
On this day of September 30th, we call upon humanity to listen with open ears to the stories of survivors and their families, and to remember those that didn't make it.
What is the story of Orange Shirt Day? ›
Between the late 1800s and 1996, more than 150,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit children attended Indian Residential Schools. Orange Shirt Day commemorates the ongoing impacts of the Residential School system.
What does Orange Shirt Day symbolize? ›
On September 30th, every year, people across Canada come together to participate in Orange Shirt Day. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the historical injustices faced by Indigenous children in the residential school system.
How to support Orange Shirt Day? ›
Get involved
- Purchase Official Orange Shirt Day Merchandise. Official merchandise.
- Browse resources for reconciliation support. Reconciliation Resources.
- Attend local events, and organize and add your own! Browse events.
It is creative, passionate, and associated with good times, warmth, and ambition. If you wear orange clothes, you like to be a party life and have a positive, energetic and participatory mood.
“Wear Orange Weekend is a chance to honor the survivors of gun violence and commit to building a safer future for all Americans,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety.
What is the significance of wearing orange today? ›
we wear orange for a future free from gun violence
But as incidents of gun violence have grown, so too has the movement to stop it. By participating in Wear Orange online and in your community, we will organize, advocate, and rally for safer communities. Together we can build a future free from gun violence.
What does Orange Shirt Day represent today? ›
Orange Shirt Day is an annual event held each September 30th in remembrance of the Canadian Residential School system and the impact of this government policy on First Nations.
