Orange Shirt Day is recognized through Canada on September 30 each year. Started in Williams Lake, BC, in 2013, this is a day for Canadians to wear an orange shirt to honour and recognize the experiences of Indigenous peoples and the effects caused by the residential school system in Canada. September was the time when children were taken from their families and put in residential schools and today is dedicated to educating and raising awareness of the treatment of Indigenous families.
“Every child matters” is the phrase created for Orange Shirt Day and is used to promote the wellness of all children and the importance of their education in a safe environment.
You can learn more about Orange Shirt Day and Phyllis Webstad’s story about her orange shirt here: https://www.orangeshirtday.org/.
