09/30/2021
Every year on September 30th, people across Canada wear orange and participate in Orange Shirt Day events to recognize and raise awareness about the history and legacies of the residential school system in Canada.
Orange Shirt Day originates from the story of Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation. In 1973, on her first day at St. Joseph’s Residential School in Williams Lake, BC, Phyllis’s shiny new orange shirt was stripped from her, never to be seen again.
40 years later, on September 30th, 2013, Phyllis stands proudly in her orange tshirt to speak publicly for the first time about her experience, and thus began the Orange Shirt Day movement.
The Canadian government designated September 30th as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, beginning in 2021. This responds to Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action 80, which states that the federal government will work with Indigenous people to establish a statutory day to honour survivors, their families, and communities.
While this is a great look for the federal government to the general public, it really isn't if you know what this really means. While yes this day has become a "federal" national day and making it a step closer to the bigger picture it really does nothing what so ever for the actual people. While the federal government gets a day off to relax, the people still have to work which takes away from being honored and a day to mourn and heal as it was not approved on a "provincial level"
There is still so much more work to be done!!!
What you can do as a non Indigenous person is to stop and listen, ask questions, watch documentaries, read articles and pay attention to detail. Have an open mind and be accepting of others.
Change starts with everyone. And change starts when everyone is aware and understands.