Monday, Sept. 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, first introduced by the federal government in 2021.
Canadians are asked to wear an orange shirt on this day, to honour the Indigenous children who never returned home, and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities on a healing journey.
It’s not only a day of reflection, but a day of learning and building Indigenous cultural awareness.
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Sept 30, Also known as Orange Shirt Story is the true story of Phyllis Webstad, who was only six years old in 1973 when she was taken from her home to attend St. Joseph Mission Residential School in B.C. When she arrived at school, Webstad was stripped of all of her possessions, including a brand new orange shirt — never to be seen again.
“The color 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,” Webstad has said about her story.
Former residential school students can call 1-866-925-4419 for emotional crisis referral services and information on other health supports from the Government of Canada.
Indigenous peoples across Canada can also go to The Hope for Wellness Help Line 24 hours a day, seven days a week for counselling and crisis intervention.
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