The information and resources below contain information that may be disturbing to some individuals, especially to residential school survivors. If you or someone you know is triggered by the content in this resource guide, please call the 24-Hour National Survivors Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.
Orange Shirt Day has been observed on September 30th since 2013, when Phyllis Webstad shared her story at the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) residential school commemoration event in Williams Lake, BC. At 6 years old, Phyllis was excited to wear her new orange shirt, given to her by her grandmother, to her first day of residential school. However, her shirt was taken from her when she arrived, and she never saw it again. The slogan “Every Child Matters” was chosen to recognize that the children who attended the schools felt that they did not matter. Orange Shirt Day is commemorated to continue the dialogue on the tragic effects of residential schools, listen to stories of survivors, remember those who didn’t make it, offer an opportunity for learning, and bring people, institutions, and governments together in the spirit of reconciliation.
In 2021, the federal government passed Bill C-5, recognizing September 30th as a federal holiday under a new name: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We have compiled resources to help you and your organization learn about the history behind Orange Shirt Day, observe the day with respect, and learn more about Indigenous history in Canada.
Background:
- Resources and ideas: information to assist with understanding & planning Orange Shirt Day
- Phyllis Webstad’s story
» National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation / Centre national pour la vérité et la réconciliation
» Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action / Commission de vérité et réconciliation du Canada : Appels à l’action
» The Story of Orange Shirt Day / Histoire de la journée du chandail orange
» Journée nationale de la vérité et de la réconciliation
» Le 30 septembre sera une journée de commémoration, vérité et réconciliation en C.-B.
Things to do:
» Wear an orange t-shirt, pin, or other item purchased from a local Indigenous business or from the Orange Shirt Day online store
» Put effort towards the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, as they apply to your organization, industry, or sector
- Application + Action: TRC Reading Guide for Non-Indigenous Organizations (Manitoba Harm Reduction Network)
- TRC Corporate Call to Action #92 (Indigenous Works)
- Beyond 94 – Truth and Reconciliation in Canada (CBC News)
- Walking the talk: A practical guide to reconciliation for CUPE locals (Canadian Union of Public Employees) / Joindre le geste à la parole : un guide pratique sur la réconciliation à l’intention des sections locales du SCFP (Syndicat canadien de la function publique)
- Business Reconciliation in Canada Guidebook (Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business) / Guide de la réconciliation d’affaires au Canada (Conseil canadien pour l’entreprise Autochtone)
» Learn the history of the land you live on, or the closest residential schools
» Donate to Indigenous charities
» Request a KAIROS Blanket Exercise for your organization
» Join or host a Circle for Reconciliation
» Book a Reconciliation Canada workshop, speaker, or lunch and learn event for your team or host a conversation
» Read, watch, and listen to the resources in this guide, and share them with your colleagues, friends, and family
Articles, Books, and Reports to read:
Articles and Reports
» Where are the Children? Healing the legacy of the residential schools (Aboriginal Healing Foundation and Legacy of Hope Foundation) / Where are the Children? Guérir des impacts des pensionnats indiens (Fondation autochtone de guérison et Fondation autochtone de l’espoir)
» A history of residential schools in Canada (CBC News)
» Les pensionnats autochtones en 7 questions (Radio-Canada)
» Residential Schools in Canada (Canadian Encyclopedia) / Pensionnats indiens au Canada (L’Encyclopédie Canadienne)
» Indigenous history in Canada (Government of Canada) / Histoire autochtone au Canada (Gouvernement du Canada)
» Building Inclusion for Indigenous Peoples in Canadian Workplaces / Favoriser l’inclusion
des peuples autochtones dans les milieux de travail canadiens (Catalyst)
» Inclusive Futures: Indigenous Engagement in Canada’s Workforce / Avenirs inclusifs participation des Autochtones au marché du travail au Canada (Action Canada)
Books
» 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality (Bob Joseph)
» A Knock on the Door: The Essential History of Residential Schools from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (Phil Fontaine and Aimée Craft)
» Five Little Indians (Michelle Good)
» Genocidal Love: a Life After Residential School (Bevann Fox)
» In this Together: Fifteen Stories of Truth & Reconciliation (Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail)
» Indigenous Relations: Insights, Tips & Suggestions to Make Reconciliation a Reality (Bob Joseph)
» Let the People Speak: Oppression in a Time of Reconciliation (Sheilla Jones)
» Peace and Good Order (Harold R. Johnson)
» Reconciliation in Practice: A Cross-Cultural Perspective (Ranjan Datta)
» The Reconciliation Manifesto: Recovering the Land, Rebuilding the Economy (Arthur Manuel and Grand Chief Ronald Derrickson)
CCDI encourages you to check with your local bookstore or municipal library for availability of these publications.
Films and Videos to Watch:
Please note: There is a cost related to watching this content and CCDI is not responsible for those costs.
» Films for Orange Shirt Day (Reel Canada)
» Films de production autochtone (Reel Canada)
» Ted Talk: Canada’s State of Emergency by Pamela Palmater (free on YouTube)
» L’héritage des pensionnats indiens au Québec (free on YouTube)
» nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up (National Film Board of Canada) / nîpawistamâsowin: Nous nous lèverons (Office national du film du Canada)
» Rhymes for Young Ghouls (CBC Gem)
» Stolen Children | Residential School survivors speak out (YouTube)
» Stories are in Our Bones (National Film Board of Canada) / Des histoires ancrées en nous (Office national du film du Canada)
» The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open (CBC Gem)
» The Lesser Blessed (CBC Gem)
» The Road Forward (National Film Board of Canada) / Droit devant (Office national du film du Canada)
» Uvanga (CBC Gem)
Podcasts to Listen to:
» New Fire with Lisa Charleyboy
» Residential Schools Podcast Series by Historica Canada
» Série de baladodiffusion Pensionnats indiens by Histórica Canada
Accounts to follow on Instagram:
CCDI is not responsible for the content posted by any of these accounts.
» @aylelum