09/30/2026
Hi everyone.
September 30th is Truth and Reconciliation Day.
Why We Wear Orange 🧡
Wearing an orange shirt is much more than a visual statement—it is a powerful act of remembrance, solidarity, and active reconciliation.
Here is why we wear orange:
1. To Honor the Survivors and Those Who Never Came Home. Orange Shirt Day open-heartedly honors the children who survived the Indian Residential School system, and remembers the thousands of children who never made it back to their families and communities.
2. Phyllis’s Story: The Origin of the Orange Shirt The movement began with the story of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) survivor. In 1973, at just six years old, Phyllis arrived at the St. Joseph Mission Residential School wearing a bright, brand-new orange shirt bought by her grandmother. Upon arrival, the shirt was stripped from her and never returned. That orange shirt became a symbol of how the residential school system took away the identity, culture, and rights of Indigenous children.
3. To Affirm that "Every Child Matters" Wearing orange is a collective declaration that Every Child Matters. It is a commitment to ensuring that every child today grows up feeling safe, valued, loved, and connected to their culture and community.
4. A Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. Wearing orange is not just for one day. It is a visible promise to continue learning the true history of the land we live on, to listen to Indigenous voices, and to actively participate in healing and reconciliation year-round.
How you can participate:
Wear Orange: Wear your orange shirt on September 30th (and throughout the week).
Support Indigenous Creators: When purchasing an orange shirt, look for official designs where proceeds directly support Indigenous organizations, survivors, and community programs.
Listen and Learn: Take time to read survivor stories, watch documentaries, or talk with your family about the history and legacy of residential schools.
This September 30th, let’s wear our orange with pride, respect, and a shared commitment to a better future.
Peace,Blessings and Justice
Submitted by Rev. Linton
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