Orange Shirt Day Sayings to Honor the Indigenous Survivors of Residential Schools

A History of Trauma and Resilience

Orange Shirt Day is an annual event held on September 30th to commemorate the Indigenous children who were taken from their families and forced to attend residential schools in Canada. These schools were places of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and many of the children who attended them died.

June 10th marked a somber anniversary of the initial publication of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA). This document outlined the terms of compensation and healing for the survivors of residential schools and their families. While the IRSSA was a significant step towards reconciliation, it also brought to light the immense pain and suffering that Indigenous Peoples have endured as a result of colonialism.

Orange Shirt Day is a time to reflect on the history of residential schools and to honor the survivors who have bravely shared their stories. It is also a time to recommit to reconciliation and to work towards a future where all Indigenous Peoples are treated with respect and dignity.

What is Orange Shirt Day?

Orange Shirt Day was started in 2013 by Phyllis Webstad, a survivor of the St. Joseph's Mission Residential School in British Columbia. When Phyllis was six years old, she was taken from her home and sent to the school. On her first day, she was stripped of her new orange shirt, which her grandmother had bought her.

Phyllis' story is a powerful reminder of the trauma that Indigenous children experienced at residential schools. Her orange shirt has become a symbol of the stolen childhoods and the lasting effects of the residential school system.

How to Observe Orange Shirt Day

There are many ways to observe Orange Shirt Day. Here are a few ideas: *

Wear an orange shirt to show your support for Indigenous survivors.

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Attend an Orange Shirt Day event in your community.

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Learn more about the history of residential schools.

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Share your thoughts and feelings about Orange Shirt Day on social media.

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Donate to an organization that supports Indigenous survivors.

Orange Shirt Day Sayings

Here are a few Orange Shirt Day sayings that you can use to spread awareness about this important day: *

"Every child matters."

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"Reconciliation is a journey, not a destination."

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"The truth will set us free."

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"We are all Treaty people."

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"No more stolen children."

Conclusion

Orange Shirt Day is an important day to remember the Indigenous children who were taken from their families and forced to attend residential schools. It is a time to reflect on the history of these schools and to honor the survivors who have bravely shared their stories. It is also a time to recommit to reconciliation and to work towards a future where all Indigenous Peoples are treated with respect and dignity.

Orange Shirt Day Sayings