Recognizing Orange Shirt Day on September 30
Posted on 09/30/2020
Orange Shirt Day takes place on Wednesday, September 30, 2020! Bluewater District School Board students and staff are encouraged to wear orange to honour Canada’s residential school survivors and demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation. We hope to witness a ‘sea of orange’ in our schools and worksites as students and staff initiate conversations, raise awareness, and broaden their learning related to Canadian Indigenous history, and the detrimental impact and legacy of residential schools. The ongoing slogan for Orange Shirt Day is “Every Child Matters”.
Orange Shirt Day was founded by former residential school student Phyllis (Jack) Webstad. At the young age of six years old, Phyllis’ new bright orange shirt was confiscated on the first day of school. This confusing and traumatic incident has never been forgotten by Phyllis, and is symbolic of the treatment received by residential school students, and the ongoing attempts to diminish their culture, traditions, and worth. Since children were taken to residential schools at the end of September, it was decided that Orange Shirt Day would occur annually on September 30.
View this short video featuring Orange Shirt Day founder Phyllis (Jack) Webstad:
To learn more about Orange Shirt Day, please visit www.orangeshirtday.org.
View the following article written by Dr. Niigaan Sinclair: https://blog.assiniboine.mb.ca/how-the-orange-shirt-day-movement-impacts-everyone-everyday
The Woodland Cultural Centre (The Mush Hole) is located in Brantford, Ontario. Taking a tour of this facility is highly recommended for anyone who is given the chance to do so. This year, virtual Orange Shirt Day events are happening until October 4. This is a great opportunity for teachers and students! Learn more: https://woodlandculturalcentre.ca/orange-shirt-day-virtual-events-for-2020
Orange Shirt Day 2020 in Bluewater
At Kincardine District Senior School, the Indigenous Studies class has created posters and made announcements. A moment of reflection was held in the gym to remember the survivors of Canada’s residential school system.
Many staff at the Bluewater District School Board Education Centre in Chesley are sporting orange to honour the occasion.