What is Orange Shirt Day and how do I celebrate it in Canada?

Orange Shirt Day was established as a federal holiday in Canada in 2021, and it is observed every year on September 30th. This event is held to commemorate and raise awareness about the painful history of Canadian residential schools and the various physical, mental, and sexual abuses, neglect, and other forms of violence that occurred within these schools. These residential schools were managed by churches but funded by the Canadian government, and they created a cycle of intergenerational traumas for Indigenous people across the country.
The name "Orange Shirt Day" refers to an orange shirt that was received by Phyllis Webstad, the founder of this day and a member of the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, from her grandmother before she attended one of the residential schools. This orange shirt serves as a symbol of the experiences of students in the residential schools and the hardships they endured.
Every year, thousands of people participate in Orange Shirt Day by wearing orange shirts. This day has gained increased attention, particularly following the recent discoveries of unmarked graves at former residential school sites, which began with the uncovering of the remains of over 200 Indigenous children in Kamloops, British Columbia, in May 2021. These graves have prompted demands for accountability from the Canadian government and the churches that administered these institutions, especially the Roman Catholic Church.
Orange Shirt Day also serves as a commemoration of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, and rallies and activities take place across the country along with calls to action to address the past injustices and improve relations with Indigenous communities. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, in 2015, concluded that the residential schools had committed cultural genocide against Indigenous communities and provided recommendations for reconciliation and reform. This day provides an opportunity for survivors to share their bitter history, and for society to seek reconciliation and improvement in relations with Indigenous communities.

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