WCH observes September 30th as National Truth and Reconciliation Day | Orange Shirt Day in more than words alone.
Across all departments and clinics, the WCH Executive Team and The Centre for Wise Practices in Indigenous Health acknowledges the importance and impact of being seen wearing Orange Shirts purchased through vendors that commission Indigenous artists/designers.
What is Orange Shirt Day?
“…is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School (1891-1981) Commemoration Project, opening the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. The date was chosen because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools, and because it is an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the coming school year. It is an opportunity for all communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations to come…several provincial governments have proclaimed Orange Shirt Day, and in March of 2019, the Government of Canada passed a bill designating September 30th National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Unfortunately, that bill died in the Senate.”
~ excerpts from the Orange Shirt Day Organization
How to Support and Purchase an Orange Shirt
We encourage individuals or groups/committees/clinics/departments to order Orange Shirts through any of these campaigns and wear them on September 30:
1. We Wear Orange–The Shopping Channel: Orders due September 11th!
2. Northern Ontario School of Medicine
3. Woodland Cultural Centre – Save The Evidence Campaign
Resource Toolkit
Visit the following links for more information and resources.
1. Phyllis Webstad’s story (founder of Orange Shirt Day Organization)
2. Beyond 94—CBC’s live tracking on Canada’s response the TRC’s Calls-to-Action
3. Interview with Senator Murray Sinclair about systemic racism
4. Pathways Towards Reconciliation
5. The Secret Life of Canada: A history podcast about the country you know, and the stories you don’t
7. Teaching Tolerance: Test Yourself For Hidden Bias
8. Why Our Kids Need to Learn About Residential Schools
11. 7 Tips on Building Relationships with Indigenous Peoples