Every year on September 30, we observe Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour survivors and ancestors who died at residential schools, as well as families and communities who continue to be affected.
The date, September 30, was chosen because it represents the time of year when church and government would organize the removal of children from First Nations, Inuit and Métis families and communities to take them to residential schools. This was not simply a dark chapter in Canada’s history – the painful legacy of these schools continues to this day with more Indigenous children currently in foster care than there ever were in residential schools.
Excerpts from the Orange Shirt Day Organization
“Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School (1891-1981) Commemoration Project and Reunion events that took place in Williams Lake, BC, Canada, in May 2013. This project was the vision of Esketemc (Alkali Lake) Chief Fred Robbins, who is a former student himself. It brought together former students and their families from the Secwepemc, Tsilhqot’in, Southern Dakelh and St’at’imc Nations along with the Cariboo Regional District, the Mayors and municipalities, School Districts and civic organizations in the Cariboo Region.
… The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. A discussion all Canadians can tune into and create bridges with each other for reconciliation. A day for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter, and so do those that have been affected. Every Child Matters, even if they are an adult, from now on.”
With the recent discoveries of thousands of unmarked graves at former residential school sites across the country, meaningful recognition of this day must include more than words. In 2021, the federal government officially established the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. Establishing this long overdue national statutory holiday was one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action and having it recognized provincially is a vital component of the reconciliation process. On this day, it is important that we spend time reflecting on the ongoing impacts of anti-Indigenous racism, current issues and how, as allies, we can enact reconciliatory transformation while uplifting the brilliance and sophistication of Indigenous knowledges, governance practices.
Throughout the month of September, the Centre for Wise Practices in Indigenous Health is organizing several events to recognize Orange Shirt Day and provide opportunities for education and action.
2024 EVENTS
Hosted by Women’s College Hospital’s community of allies and co-conspirators with The Centre for Wise Practices in Indigenous Health.
In partnership with the Office of Indigenous Health at U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine and the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto
ORANGE SHIRT SALE & ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
September 19 & 26 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Peter Gilgan AtriumJoin us in the Peter Gilgan Atrium to experience the GCWP-IH led interactive activities and educational booth activation, featuring relevant action items from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. This activity offers an opportunity for commitment towards meaningful reconciliation from our community at WCH and beyond. The Proceeds from sales will go to Survivors Secretariat, an organization dedicated to coordinating and supporting efforts to uncover, document and share the truth about what happened at the Mohawk Institute during its 140+ years of operation.
SEEDS OF CHANGE: SPEAKER SERIES LAUNCH
Wednesday, September 18 from 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. | WCH AuditoriumJoin us for our first Seeds of Change Speakers’ Series! The Seeds of Change Art Collection at Women’s College Hospital is a series of artworks, all created by Indigenous women and with a thematic focus on healing. Artwork in the gallery were selected and curated by Sara Roque and Elwood Jimmy and incorporated into the hospital space.
This event will be the official launch of the Seeds of Change Gallery and will feature artist Bonnie Devine, a visual artist who’s art is featured in the gallery. This in person event will be held at Women’s College Hospital, providing a welcoming and inclusive space for engaging discussions.
Register now. In-person only.
HEALING CEREMONY: STAND BESIDE US
Monday, September 30 from 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. | WCH AuditoriumTo commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, there will be a Teaching & Healing Ceremony in the WCH Auditorium. Kawennanoron Cindy White will be the ceremonial leader, and the ceremony will feature guest speakers Jacqueline Follis and Jackie Ryan.
We encourage guests to wear regalia of your Nation.
Ceremonial drumming begins at 12:15 p.m. and cannot be interrupted — please do not enter or leave your seats until the drumming has ended.
Ally Toolkit
Choose one or more action items listed below to advance truth and reconciliation:
- Learn about Orange Shirt Day and the painful legacy of Canada’s Residential School System
- Make a donation – if you aren’t able to purchase an orange shirt from the Centre for Wise Practices, you can still donate to the Toronto Council Fire’s Indigenous Daily Food Bank program, The Gathering Place
- Visit the On Canada Action Guide to find out how settlers can take action.
- Write your MP asking:
- For TRC calls to action #76 to be honoured from 2009: Forensic archaeology investigations on residential school sites
- To recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a provincial stat holiday
- Read the reports and guides available on the CWP-IH hub:
- MMIWG2S Report: Imperative Calls for Justice
- Truth and Reconciliation Report : 94 Calls to Action
- Visit the Indigenous Watchdog app to learn more about the current status of each CTA and other critical Indigenous issues
Resource Toolkit
Visit the following links for more information and resources.
- Phyllis Webstad’s story (founder of Orange Shirt Day Organization)
- Truth & Reconciliation in Canada’s Health System
- Scientific American on Residential Schools
- Beyond 94—CBC’s live tracking on Canada’s response the TRC’s Calls-to-Action
- Interview with Senator Murray Sinclair about systemic racism
- The Secret Life of Canada: A history podcast about the country you know, and the stories you don’t
- National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health: social determinants of health / understanding racism
- The National Consortium for Indigenous Medical Education
- The Way Forward
- Native Women’s Association of Canada: Federal Action Plan to Address the Findings of the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
- 7 Tips on Building Relationships with Indigenous Peoples
- Uncovering an Oral History of Tkaronto
- Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools
- Representation and Reconciliation—Indigenous leadership for health in Canada
- Yellowed Institute Special Report: Calls to Action Accountability, 2021 Status Update on Reconciliation
- The Indigenous Toronto Issue (The Local)
- Woodland Cultural Centre