We Wear Orange Because Children in Residential Schools Could Not – FNHA
Sep 21, 2023
The end of September is highly important to First Nations people in Canada, as we observe Orange Shirt Day and remember the horrific legacy of residential schools. Started in 2013 in Williams Lake, BC, Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 30 has grown over the past 10 years to signify resilience, strength and healing for survivors and their families. It is also a reminder to all Canadians to learn about this history and the truth so it is never repeated.
Since the discovery of unmarked graves on the site of former residential schools throughout Canada, the orange shirt has become a colour that is often worn at any time of year to signify the ongoing and intergenerational traumas caused by Canada.
But why orange? Why was this colour chosen to represent this story?
The story begins in 1973 with Phyllis Webstad of Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band). She had just turned six years old and was living with her grandmother on the Dog Creek reserve.
