Today is Orange Shirt Day here in Canada, or now more formally the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, a day of remembrance for all the indigenous children who lost their lives in residential schools, and whose burial places even now remain uncertain, and for the many more children who lost their culture, including their language.
In 1960 Phyllis Webstad was a young 6 year old, living on the Dog Creek reserve in northern B.C. She was excited to be going to school for the first time, and her grandmother had scrimped and saved to buy her a bright orange shirt to wear. But when she arrived at school, as in all the residential schools apparently, the children were all stripped, bathed, and de-liced. She never saw her orange shirt again; presumably all the clothes had been burned.
Phyllis was left feeling totally worthless after the indoctrination she experienced at that school, and finally entered therapy at age 27. She finally spoke publicly about her orange shirt on Sept. 30th, 2013 and the image quickly caught on. Now the day is formally remembered as the National Day fore Truth and Reconciliation, but for many it will always be Orange Shirt Day.
Thank you for sharing Phyllis' story. We must remember them.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awfully sad story.. it's still astonishes
ReplyDeleteme that some people can be so cruel and uncaring!
-Mary
I learned last year about Orange Shirt Day. I thought it was you who first told me about it. Thank you for reminding me of the commemorative event. So very sad.
ReplyDeleteI was a teacher in part of that system. Government looked after education and churches looked after the residence.
ReplyDeleteInteresting story. Members of our dominant culture make the mistake of thinking it is superior.
ReplyDeleteThere was a ceremony in the park yesterday with many ornate shirts. I was at the other end of the park, but I was wearing orange.
ReplyDeleteSo sad. So very very sad. So many youthful spirits destroyed by ignorance and conservative religion.
ReplyDeleteI just attended a seminar led by local Native Tribal Indians, and we were encouraged to wear orange shirts, and were offered an orange ribbon to pin on our shirts if we didn't wear the color. There was a presentation by a daughter of a boarding school survivor. It was very touching.
ReplyDeleteSuch an important day!
ReplyDeleteThe U.S. had similar residential schools where the children were treated in the same horrendous ways. Unfortunately we haven't really begun to deal with the legacy that has left, given the difference between Canadian and U.S. cultures I'm not sure the U.S. will ever seriously try to make amends.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading stories about that happened in USA. Sad it happened in Canada as well. Sorry for loss of children as they were mistreated then and even now. Doing things at school here in USA isn't the best for awhile. Things taught to young children have no knowledge why one should change their bodies to be a different person. I hope things straighten up in life for all of us in the world!
ReplyDeleteI wore mine! I didn't leave the property, though, so no one spotted me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that.
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