In Memory of the Children.

Today we stop and remember those indigenous children who were forced to attend residential schools here in Canada.  For over 100 years children were removed from scattered indigenous communities (forcibly if necessary) so they could be stripped of the culture and language, 'beatting the Indian out of the child'.  Several thousand died in the process and were buried in unmarked graves.

The story I remember, the story that makes today 'Orange Shirt Day', came from Phyllis Webstad, of the Dog Creek reserve in northern B.C.  Like many 6 year olds, she was excited to attend her first day of school, and her grandmother had purchased a bright orange shirt for her to wear.  But when she arrived at the school she was stripped, bathed, and her long hair shaved off.  She was not allowed to speak her own language.  Presumably all the clothing was burned.

It took Phyllis 40 years and years of therapy before she spoke out about this, which she did at a gathering in 2013.  The image immediately caught on, and the orange shirt became a symbol, while 'Every Child Matters' became the slogan.  I have loved this image since I first saw it.  The federal government formalized this as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/

 So take a moment to remember, not only the children who died, but the thousands more who lost their culture, language and connections to family.because of the residential school system.