Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30, to remember and honour the Indigenous children who never returned home, the Survivors of residential schools, and their families and communities.
Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. The orange shirt symbolizes the loss of culture, freedom, self-esteem, language, and loving family connections that many Indigenous children experienced. This day reminds us that “Every Child Matters.”
On September 30, we encourage all residents to wear orange to honour the hundreds of thousands of Survivors of residential schools, and to read up on the Orange Shirt Day story at www.orangeshirtday.org.
