September 30 officially marks both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.
This day was declared a federal statutory holiday and honours the lost children, Survivors and their families and communities who were impacted by the Indian Residential School System.
It is a day for people to reflect, learn and commit to the ongoing process of Reconciliation.
The origins of Orange Shirt Day began in April 2013 after I shared my personal story of wearing an orange shirt on my first day of St. Joseph Mission Residential School.
From that day, the colour orange became a symbol of the effects of residential schools and “Every Child Matters”.
Orange Shirt Day with the phrase “Every Child Matters” is a cause focusing on the importance of Truth and Reconciliation.
With this in mind, the Orange Shirt Society does not endorse the recent announcement of Orange Shirt Day occurring on February 11 by protest organizers.
Phyllis Webstad, Founder of Orange Shirt Day and Ambassador of the Orange Shirt Society
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