Honouring Survivors and Addressing the Legacy of Residential Schools

Orange Shirt Day, observed annually on September 30th along with the Day of Truth and Reconciliation, is about remembrance and education and shedding light on the painful legacy of Canada’s residential school system.

It is a day to honour the Indigenous children who were forcibly removed from their families, placed in residential schools, and subjected to trauma and abuse.

The day’s origins lie in the personal story of Phyllis Webstad, a residential school survivor whose experience of having her orange shirt taken away on her first day at school has come to symbolize the loss of identity, culture, and childhood innocence that thousands of Indigenous children faced.

Phyllis Webstad’s story is at the heart of Orange Shirt Day and serves as a reminder of the experiences shared by many Indigenous children who attended residential schools. In 1973, Phyllis, a six-year-old from the Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) Nation, was sent to the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School in Williams Lake, British Columbia. Like many children in her community, she was taken from her family and thrust into an environment that sought to erase her identity and sever her connection to her culture.

Before leaving for school, Phyllis’s grandmother gifted her a brand-new orange shirt. The bright orange color was a source of excitement for Phyllis, and the shirt symbolized her sense of individuality and love. However, upon her arrival at St. Joseph’s Mission, the shirt was immediately confiscated, and Phyllis was stripped of her clothing and dressed in the institutional uniform of the residential school. The loss of her beloved orange shirt was a deeply symbolic moment for Phyllis. It represented the stripping away of her personal identity, a painful experience that reflected the broader goal of the residential school system to assimilate Indigenous children and erase their culture.

Phyllis’s story of her orange shirt and the emotional impact of its confiscation resonated with many survivors of residential schools. It came to symbolize the experiences of thousands of Indigenous children who suffered in these institutions, where their languages, cultural practices, and familial bonds were suppressed.

The Residential School System: A Tool of Assimilation

To understand the significance of Orange Shirt Day, it is essential to recognize the role of residential schools in Canada’s colonial history. Residential schools were government-sponsored institutions, largely run by Christian churches, designed to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture. The goal was to “kill the Indian in the child,” a quote often attributed to Duncan Campbell Scott, one of the architects of the residential school system. From the late 1800s until the last school closed in 1996, over 150,000 Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their homes and sent to these schools.

At residential schools, Indigenous children were forbidden from speaking their native languages, practicing their cultural traditions, or maintaining contact with their families. Many children experienced physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at the hands of school staff, and neglect was rampant. The effects of malnutrition, disease, and emotional trauma were devastating. Thousands of children died in these schools, with many graves remaining unmarked and forgotten until recent discoveries brought the extent of the tragedy to light.

The legacy of residential schools left deep scars on Indigenous communities. Survivors often struggled with the trauma they experienced, leading to intergenerational impacts, including cycles of poverty, mental health issues, and substance abuse. The destruction of family bonds and cultural practices contributed to the erosion of Indigenous identity, language, and community cohesion.

The Birth of Orange Shirt Day

In 2013, Orange Shirt Day was established to honour the survivors of residential schools and to create awareness about their traumatic experiences. The date, September 30th, was chosen because it coincides with the time of year when Indigenous children were traditionally taken from their homes and sent to residential schools. The day serves as a symbol of remembrance and reflection on the dark chapter in Canada’s history, as well as a call to action for reconciliation.

The creation of Orange Shirt Day was driven by a grassroots movement led by Phyllis Webstad herself, along with other survivors and advocates. The day encourages people of all backgrounds to wear orange shirts to show solidarity with survivors and to remember the children who never returned home. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the truth of Canada’s colonial past and to commit to healing and reconciliation.

“The truth is not yet told.”

— Phyllis Webstad

Bullying and the Residential School Experience

Bullying was a pervasive element of the residential school experience, often tied to the dehumanizing practices that sought to strip Indigenous children of their cultural identity. In residential schools, children were frequently subjected to harsh discipline and ridicule for speaking their native languages or expressing any connection to their Indigenous heritage. The environment fostered an atmosphere of fear, shame, and humiliation, contributing to long-lasting psychological trauma.

For many children, the experience of being bullied by both school staff and other students left them feeling powerless and alienated. Indigenous children were taught to view their culture as inferior, and the internalized shame they carried often manifested in struggles with self-esteem and identity in later life.

The legacy of bullying in residential schools has had a ripple effect on future generations. Many survivors, having grown up in an environment where they were consistently devalued and mistreated, found it difficult to navigate relationships, both within their families and in wider society. This trauma was passed down through generations, contributing to cycles of violence, substance abuse, and mental health challenges.

Orange Shirt Day, by raising awareness about the emotional and psychological toll of residential schools, also addresses the broader issue of bullying. It encourages people to reflect on how systems of power and oppression, both historical and contemporary, contribute to the marginalization and mistreatment of individuals based on their identity. The day provides an opportunity to foster empathy, compassion, and respect, both for survivors of residential schools and for those who face bullying and discrimination today.

The Broader Significance of Reconciliation

Orange Shirt Day is not just about remembering the past; it is also about building a more just and equitable future. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), established in 2008, played a pivotal role in documenting the experiences of residential school survivors and offering recommendations for reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. The TRC’s final report, released in 2015, contained 94 Calls to Action aimed at addressing the historical wrongs of the residential school system and promoting healing.

Among these Calls to Action are recommendations related to education, child welfare, language and culture preservation, health, and justice. Orange Shirt Day aligns with these efforts by promoting education and raising awareness about the history of residential schools, as well as encouraging dialogue and reflection on the ongoing process of reconciliation.

Reconciliation is an ongoing journey that requires both individual and collective efforts. For non-Indigenous Canadians, this means acknowledging the truths of the past, listening to the stories of survivors, and working to dismantle the systemic inequalities that continue to affect Indigenous peoples. For Indigenous communities, reconciliation involves reclaiming their identities, languages, and cultural practices while seeking justice and healing for the harm caused by colonialism.

The Role of Education in Reconciliation

Education plays a crucial role in the success of Orange Shirt Day and the broader reconciliation movement. Many Canadians, particularly younger generations, are unaware of the full history of residential schools and the impact of colonial policies on Indigenous peoples. Incorporating the history of residential schools into school curricula is essential for fostering understanding and empathy among students.

Orange Shirt Day provides an opportunity for schools, educators, and communities to engage in meaningful conversations about the history of residential schools, the legacy of colonialism, and the importance of reconciliation. By learning about the experiences of survivors like Phyllis Webstad, students can develop a deeper appreciation for the resilience of Indigenous communities and the need for continued efforts toward justice and healing.

Orange Shirt Day’s Growing Impact

Since its inception, Orange Shirt Day has gained momentum across Canada and beyond. Government institutions, schools, businesses, and individuals have embraced the day as a meaningful way to acknowledge the country’s colonial past and commit to reconciliation. The orange shirt has become a symbol of solidarity and remembrance, worn by people from all walks of life as a visible expression of support for residential school survivors.

Orange Shirt Day has also sparked conversations about how to address the ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous communities, including systemic racism, inequities in health and education, and the preservation of Indigenous languages and cultures. The day serves as a reminder that the work of reconciliation is far from over and that continued efforts are needed to address the legacies of colonialism.

Orange Shirt Day is a powerful symbol of the resilience and strength of Indigenous communities in the face of colonialism’s devastating impact. Phyllis Webstad’s story of her orange shirt and the broader history of residential schools serve as reminders of the deep trauma and loss experienced by Indigenous children and their families. However, Orange Shirt Day is also a day of hope—an opportunity to honor survivors, educate future generations, and foster a deeper understanding of the need for reconciliation.

By addressing issues such as bullying, cultural erasure, and the legacy of colonialism, Orange Shirt Day contributes to the broader conversation about justice, healing, and rebuilding relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. As the day continues to grow in recognition and significance, it serves as a call to action for all Canadians to engage in the ongoing work of reconciliation and to ensure that the experiences of residential school survivors are never forgotten.