Orange Shirt Day

Today we remember the thousands of Indigenous children who were often forcibly removed from their homes to attend residential schools.  Many died, many of those lying in unmarked graves.

In 1960 6-year old Phyllis Webstad, who lived with her grandmother on a reserve in the middle of B.C., was looking forward to going off to school.. Her grandmother had found enough pennies to buy her a bright orange shirt for her first day.  She went off to school happily - until she arrived.  All her clothes were stripped off and taken away to be burned; all the students were scrubbed  and de-liced.  She never saw her orange shirt again.

It's hard to believe this happened in 1960.  I was already 12 years old and in grade 7!  What a long time it has taken us to abandon colonialism; many remnants hang on today.  For Phyllis there was a complete disconnect from her culture, from the love of her family, and a feeling of worthlessness.  This was indoctrination, not education!

The official design for 2024.

With credit to the Orange Shirt Society.

Phyllis finally found the strength to tell her story in 1981, and the image caught on.  Officially this is National Day for Truth and reconciliation, recognized federally in Canada.  There are only three Canadian holidays that have more meaning to me - Christmas, East and Thanksgiving.