Orange Shirt Day Every Child Matters

In Canada, September 30th is known as Orange

Shirt Day. On this day, we honour First Nations,
Inuit and Métis people and reflect on the ongoing
effects of residential schools.

Phyllis’ Story
In 1973, when Phyllis Jack Webstad was six years old,
she wore a new, shiny orange shirt for her first day
of school. It was special because it was given to her
by her grandmother and she didn’t often receive
new things. Phyllis attended a residential school called
St. Joseph’s Mission Indian Residential School in British Columbia. There, they
took away all her things, including her brand new shirt. This taught Phyllis that
she didn’t matter and it was just one of the unhappy memories Phyllis had at
residential schools. She wrote about her experiences in her book, “The Orange
Shirt Story” to teach us that “Every Child Matters.”

Residential Schools
Residential schools were boarding schools for
Indigenous school-aged children. They were
run by church organizations and funded by
the Canadian government to try and change
Indigenous ways of life. Children were taken
away from their families, and were not
allowed to speak their languages, or practice
their customs and traditions. Indigenous communities were forever changed
because all the children were taken from them. Students were not treated
well at residential schools and sometimes suffered mentally, emotionally and
physically. Sadly, many Indigenous children died at these schools.
Thoughtful consideration has been taken to ensure we pay respect to Indigenous peoples in our resources, with Truth and Reconciliation as our mission.

Page 1 of 2 visit twinkl.ca

 Orange Shirt Day Every Child Matters

Every Child Matters

For 100+ years when residential schools were open, many Indigenous families
and communities were torn apart. In 2008, then Prime Minister Stephen
Harper apologized to Indigenous people on behalf of the Canadian
government for its role in the residential school system. The last residential
school closed in 1997.
Phyllis’ story inspired Orange Shirt Day. She wants to remind
people that “Every Child Matters.” Wearing an orange shirt
shows you think residential schools were wrong, you stand
with Indigenous people, and you want to learn more.
On Orange Shirt Day, all Canadians can wear an “Every
Child Matters” orange shirt and continue to learn about
Indigenous history and culture and listening to their stories.

Page 2 of 2 visit twinkl.ca